St Andrews’ gin and whisky distillery Eden Mill has appointed premium spirits veteran Rennie Donaldson as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Announcing the move, the company said that Mr Donaldson had been brought in to ‘drive the business forward, delivering on its ambitious plans to grow international trade, rebrand its extensive portfolio of premium single malt whiskies and Scottish gins and deliver a new state of the art distillery and visitor centre on the banks of the River Eden’.
Located at the University of St Andrews Eden Campus, work began on the distillery earlier this year and it is due to open in summer 2024, whereafter Eden Mill want it to become ‘a major St Andrews landmark, and a superb Scottish tourist attraction’.
Eden Mill St Andrews was established in 2012 and is the first distillery to make spirits in the region for over 150 years.
“It’s an exciting time for Eden Mill and I’m delighted to lead the business forward and deliver our plans for international brand growth as well as opening of our new distillery in St Andrews,” said Mr Donaldson.
Before joining Eden Mill as its Chief Operating Officer in February 2022, Donaldson was with the 137-year-old Glasgow-based family-owned spirits business William Grant & Sons, which owns brands including Glenfiddich, The Balvenie and Hendrick’s Gin, as its Head of Corporate Development.
Beginning his career as a chartered accountant, he later became Group Financial Controller at Scottish spirits group Edrington, owner of brands including renowned single malt whisky The Macallan and The Famous Grouse.
“I have spent eleven years of my career working for two of Scotland’s most notable spirits businesses and bring with me a personal ambition to secure Eden Mill’s successful future offering premium Scottish gin and single malt whisky brands to the global market,” he said.
Chair of Eden Mill St Andrews, Stella Morse, said: “There is nobody better or more experienced to lead Eden Mill’s future growth and success than Rennie Donaldson and I am delighted to announce his new position of CEO at such an exciting and pertinent time for the business.
“As work continues on our new iconic distillery and visitor centre in St Andrews, the executive leadership team, led by Rennie, will support our commercial growth with a drive to reposition and premiumise Eden Mill’s portfolio within the Scotch whisky and gin category, driving international distribution and building our reputation particularly within the US and Asian markets, to ensure Eden Mill is recognised alongside other premium Scottish spirits producers.”
