Finance Director

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) of late has been experiencing a coming of age, with rapid expansion over the last 4 years fueled by category growth and strong investment in the business. It is poised to go on to a continued period of sustained and exciting development supported by further equity raising.

Founded in 1983 in Edinburgh, SMWS bottles and sells single cask malt whisky. It purchases individual casks from distilleries both in Scotland and throughout the world, bottles them under its own brand name and retails directly to its members. The business has evolved from its mail order roots to now becoming an advanced on-line/digital business, needing to be at the forefront of these disciplines and data analysis. It provides an even wider value proposition to its members by way of content, events and education and this is summarised in its brand opportunity as “Establishing a valuable membership experience that attracts and inspires involvement”.

SMWS was acquired by Glenmorangie PLC (now part of LVMH) in 2004, and in 2015 was sold back to private investors and is now 100% owned by The Artisanal Spirits Company (ASC). The ASC, in addition to the plan to develop the SMWS, has developed a number of other spirit brand opportunities and new developments that will be brought to market in the next 1-2 years to accelerate growth further.

A Finance Director is now sought with the skills and experience to help lead SMWS’s growth in increasing scale and value and to play a pivotal role in presenting the company to investors. Other key aspects will include safeguarding the assets and liabilities of the Group, managing risk, providing financial and strategic advice to the Managing Director and leading the business strategy process for the business. The FD will therefore be an integral and influential member of the business’s Executive team.

Excellent personal presence and a strong leadership style combined with a confident, strategic and hard-working approach are all critical to the success of this role. The FD must be technically strong, commercially astute, insightful and possess the ability to inspire and influence people at all levels. In addition, the FD must have great stage presence and be very clear and articulate
Also important will be experience of working with strategic investors, demonstrating a strong focus on value creation and cash management and the credibility to manage relationships with key external stakeholders.

For further information and detailed conversation please contact Willie Finlayson via willie@fwbparkbrown.com or 0131 539 7087.

To apply please send your CV to enquires@fwbparkbrown.com.