FDBusiness.com

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has opened offices in London, marking the growing success of one of the UK’s most successful industries and exporters. The move across the border to the financial capital of Europe marks growing investment in Scotland’s booming Scotch whisky trade, helping generate more jobs across the UK. The new office will be the largest permanently staffed presence the SWA has ever had outside Edinburgh.

Scotch whisky is shipped to almost 200 markets worldwide and exports are worth around £4 billion annually. The industry adds £5 billion a year in value to the UK economy and supports more than 40,000 jobs, including many in the supply chain outside Scotland. As well as strengthening the SWA’s links overseas, the London office will develop relationships across Whitehall and Westminster and support five jobs.

David Frost, chief executive of SWA.

David Frost, SWA chief executive, comments: “We believe other industries can learn from the success of Scotch whisky. We are keen to work in collaboration with the government to help grow exports and the wider UK economy. The Scotch Whisky industry is going through a time of expansion. There are now 117 distilleries in Scotland, with seven opening in the last year or so. About 40 new distilleries are currently being planned or built to meet demand for the quality product.”

He continues: “Our London office, near Westminster, will give us even better access to decision makers in the UK and internationally.”

The SWA, headquartered in Edinburgh, was established more than 100 years ago. The trade body works to sustain Scotch whisky’s place as the world’s leading high-quality spirit drink and its long-term growth worldwide. The London office is headed by Sarah Dickson, director of global affairs, responsible for the SWA’s international and European Union business. Sarah Dickson was HM Ambassador to Guatemala and Honduras before joining the SWA earlier this year.