Scotch Whisky Association to open London office as it ramps up international focus

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 08 January, 2015

The Scotch Whisky Association is on the hunt for a new global affairs director, to be responsible for all of its international and EU business, who will head up a new London office.

The SWA's new London office will focus on international and EU business and on UK government affairs. It is expected to open in mid-2015, shortly after the UK General Election. The SWA's headquarters and most of its team will remain in Edinburgh.

These changes come on the back of the SWA's announcement in December of its new chairman Pernod Ricard chief Pierre Pringuet.

Campbell Evans, current international affairs director, has decided to leave the organisation later this year, while European affairs director Nick Soper left the organisation last November. David Frost, SWA chief executive thanked both for their contributions and wished them well for the future.

He added: "I am excited to announce this further change in the SWA's work. We believe that a permanent London presence will enhance our ability to engage effectively and build relationships both with the UK government and with other governments and bodies represented there."

David Frost David Frost

Frost, who told Harpers.co.uk recently that "economic headwinds have hit our export figures so we will be hoping for an improvement in 2015", plans on increasing his own international visits this year, given last year's Scottish referendum meant the focus was on the domestic market.

The global affairs director will manage a team based in London and in Edinburgh. The group says the position will be to "eliminate barriers to the export of Scotch Whisky, to build and extend the SWA's international influence and contacts, and to position the SWA as an institution with broader international credibility on the importance of free trade and open markets".

The Association will also be looking to recruit a number of experienced international affairs and public affairs specialists to join the London office.

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