A diplomat who once served as the UK’s ambassador to Denmark is to play a key role in driving sales of Scotch whisky at home and abroad.
David Frost, who is currently director for Europe, Trade and International Affairs at the UK Government’s Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Edinburgh-based Scotch Whisky Association.
The century-old organisation is the trade body for the Scotch whisky industry worldwide and has been led by Gavin Hewitt, also a former a diplomat, for the last 10 years.
Mr Frost is taking over at something of a boom time for the industry following a spike in demand for the drink across world markets and major investment in distillery and production facilities from drinks giant Diageo and others.
The value of whisky exports in the first six months of 2013 grew by 11% to almost £2 billion, with some 563 million bottles being sold overseas.
The two single largest importers in that period were the USA and France, both mature markets.
Demand has also returned to recession-hit Spain, and there is increasing interest in whisky in the emerging economies in Africa and South America.
However, releases from bond for sale in the UK were down by 5.47% to 37.3m bottles in the first half of the year, an indication of the continuing constraints on domestic purse strings.
Mr Frost who served as Danish ambassador between 2006 and 2008, and whose role at BIS has seen him take a lead on UK trade policy and work closely with the European Commission and a wide range of commercial and trade bodies will take over in the new year following Mr Hewitt’s planned departure.
“My career to date working in economic, trade, and EU affairs in the UK and overseas has given me a wealth of experience of global commercial issues which will stand me in good stead in my new role in the Scotch whisky industry,” he said.
“I am excited about taking up this new position at the helm of this highly-respected trade body which provides an invaluable service to the industry.”
Mr Hewitt welcomed the appointment of his successor and said he had “thoroughly enjoyed” his time at the SWA.
“The industry has expanded to meet surging global demand, with exports almost doubling in the last 10 years and unprecedented levels of new investment,” he said.
“Scotch whisky is vital to the UK and Scottish economies. David Frost’s experience of working closely on economic affairs in the UK and overseas fits him well for the role of SWA chief executive.”