FORMER ambassador to Denmark, David Frost has been announced as the new chief executive for the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).
The senior civil servant, who has been the senior official responsible for the UK’s trade policy, working closely with the EU Commission, will now lead up the SWA.
Mr Frost has stepped down as director for Europe, Trade and International Affairs at the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills and will take over from Gavin Hewitt who will step down at the end of 2013 after ten years at the helm.
Mr Hewitt joined the SWA in October 2003 and has overseen a time of global growth and increased investment for the Scotch whisky industry.
Scotch whisky is vital to the UK and Scottish economies, with exports almost doubling in the last ten years. Unprecedented levels of new investment means Mr Frost is joining the association at one of the peak times of its history.