The Ardgowan Distillery has appointed industry veteran Mike Keiller as its new chair as the Inverclyde whisky maker gears up to build its new flagship distillery. Current chairman Willie Philips is standing down after four years and nearly 50 years in the trade.
Keiller, who takes up his new position today, is a qualified Scottish chartered accountant whose early career began at Bell’s Scotch Whisky in Perth, followed by senior finance and corporate roles at Guinness, United Distillers Europe and Diageo.
Keiller joined Morrison Bowmore Distillers as CEO in 2000, and over the next 14 years helped transform the business from a bulk whisky supplier into a profitable brand-led operation with globally acclaimed spirits including Auchentoshan, Bowmore and Glen Garioch.
Following his retirement, he served as a non-executive director of The Last Drop Distillers from 2016 until 2018. He will continue as non-executive director at AIM-listed spirits group Distil.
Ardgowan Distillery CEO Martin McAdam said, "Mike is a fantastic guy and it’s great to welcome him as our new chair as we enter a very exciting phase of our business. In the months ahead we will commence the build of our world-leading carbon negative distillery with the goal of producing the very finest premium malt whisky…
“I also wish to play tribute to our outgoing chairman Willie Phillips, who supported us through the challenging start-up phase. Willie will now become president of our whisky tasting forum – and I look forward to nosing our first new-make spirit alongside him.”
Mike Keiller commented, “It is exciting to be joining the Ardgowan Distillery as they seek to realise their vision…at their ground-breaking new distillery. I’m relishing the opportunity to work with Martin on the company’s corporate strategy and to be part of a young, dynamic and fast-growing team of passionate whisky pioneers.”
Roland Grain, director of investments at Ardgowan, added, “I have already worked with Mike at Distil and he brings huge experience and capability to the company. Mike shares our vision of creating a great carbon negative distillery, a great single malt and building long-lasting customer relationships.”
Keiller, who takes up his new position today, is a qualified Scottish chartered accountant whose early career began at Bell’s Scotch Whisky in Perth, followed by senior finance and corporate roles at Guinness, United Distillers Europe and Diageo.
Keiller joined Morrison Bowmore Distillers as CEO in 2000, and over the next 14 years helped transform the business from a bulk whisky supplier into a profitable brand-led operation with globally acclaimed spirits including Auchentoshan, Bowmore and Glen Garioch.
Martin McAdam
Following his retirement, he served as a non-executive director of The Last Drop Distillers from 2016 until 2018. He will continue as non-executive director at AIM-listed spirits group Distil.
Ardgowan Distillery CEO Martin McAdam said, "Mike is a fantastic guy and it’s great to welcome him as our new chair as we enter a very exciting phase of our business. In the months ahead we will commence the build of our world-leading carbon negative distillery with the goal of producing the very finest premium malt whisky…
“I also wish to play tribute to our outgoing chairman Willie Phillips, who supported us through the challenging start-up phase. Willie will now become president of our whisky tasting forum – and I look forward to nosing our first new-make spirit alongside him.”
Roland Grain
Mike Keiller commented, “It is exciting to be joining the Ardgowan Distillery as they seek to realise their vision…at their ground-breaking new distillery. I’m relishing the opportunity to work with Martin on the company’s corporate strategy and to be part of a young, dynamic and fast-growing team of passionate whisky pioneers.”
Roland Grain, director of investments at Ardgowan, added, “I have already worked with Mike at Distil and he brings huge experience and capability to the company. Mike shares our vision of creating a great carbon negative distillery, a great single malt and building long-lasting customer relationships.”
