Whisky distiller appoints new CFO

Helen Cowing

Billionaire whisky tycoons Glenn Gordon and family which owns William Grant & Sons, was last week named Scotland’s richest family for the sixth year in a row.

Rising profits at the business, which is behind the famous Glenfiddich and Hendrick’s Gin brands, saw its owners maintain their top spot on the Scottish Rich List, compiled by the Sunday Times.

The distillery group, which also produces Grant’s, Glenfiddich and The Balvenie, is run by the founder’s great-great-grandson Glenn Gordon.

In her new role at the the firm, Ms Cowing will be based at the group’s Strathclyde Business Park office and will join William Grant’s supervisory and executive boards.

Ms Cowing joins the William Grant from financial services and energy group Octopus, where she held the position of group chief financial officer (CFO).

With a career spanning more than 30 years, she has held senior roles across commercial, IS and supply chain.

She has held the position of group CFO at global construction company ISG, vending services operator Selecta Group and clothing retailer Fat Face.

Ms Cowing has also held senior finance roles at PepsiCo, Novartis, AP Moeller, Nestle and Kraft Jacobs Suchard.

Simon Hunt, chief executive at William Grant & Sons, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Helen Cowing to William Grant & Sons in this important role.

“Helen’s impressive leadership of global businesses, her international financial expertise and her commitment to values-based leadership in developing high performing teams, will make her a great addition to the executive board and the wider business.”

Ms Cowing added: “I’m delighted to join William Grant & Sons, as a global business in Scotland, with a strong heritage that puts values at the heart of how it operates.

“William Grant & Sons has an impressive portfolio of brands and I value their long-term thinking.

“I look forward to contributing to profitable future growth for the business and working with a respected and accomplished team.”