Craft brewer BrewDog has appointed the former managing director of Diageo Futures as head of its distilling arm.
David Gates, who has 27 years of experience with Diageo, joins the Aberdeenshire firm as distilling division MD as it moves to boost its drinks range.
The appointment comes as plans were unveiled by LoneWolf, the distilling arm, to expand its spirit range beyond vodka and gin to include whisky and rum.
Mr Gates said: "The opportunity to shake up the spirits category with the industry’s biggest disruptor was just too good to pass up.
"What BrewDog has done for the beer industry is nothing short of awe-inspiring, you can’t help but be impressed with the energy, vibrancy and unapologetic attitude they’ve injected into the category.
"It’s that same creative flair and obsession for quality that I hope to bring to the spirits portfolio."
He added: "Whilst huge strides have been made in whisky, the industry still lacks real innovation.
"We’re here to change that and inject more excitement, playfulness and creativity into spirits."
During his time as global whisky category director at Diageo, Mr Gates "established steady and sustained growth" and as Johnnie Walker global brand director he "led the brand in becoming the most profitable international spirits brand in the world".
James Watt, BrewDog co-founder, above, said Mr Gates "is as obsessed with quality and flavour as we are".
He added: "His proven success in building an established spirits division makes him a force to be reckoned with in the industry; I’m thrilled to have him on board.
"I can’t wait to see where David takes LoneWolf - he shares our vision in standing as a marker and custodian of purist, truthful distillation methods, and his fresh, challenging thinking will not only take LoneWolf to new levels, but the entire category."
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