Glencadam Distillery has appointed Michael van der Veen as brand home manager and Lauren Oliver as deputy brand home manager. The appointments come ahead of the opening of the distillery’s new visitor centre in Brechin, which is due to launch later this autumn as part of Glencadam’s 200th anniversary year.
Michael and Lauren both bring substantial experience from within the whisky and wider hospitality sectors and will lead on developing the visitor experience at the new site.
Michael joins Glencadam with over 25 years in the hospitality industry. Most recently, he held the role of visitor experience manager at Kingsbarns and Darnley’s Distilleries. He has also worked in senior F&B and customer-facing roles at Skibo Castle, The Eden Club and Links House at Royal Dornoch.
Michael van der Veen said, “I love working in whisky and Glencadam Distillery’s values resonate deeply, with a true appreciation for the rich history, heritage and craftsmanship behind the brand. As part of an independently owned business, this role gives me the opportunity to help shape a truly immersive, memorable experience here in the Highlands as we let visitors into the heart of what makes Glencadam truly special with 200 years of stories, substance and soul to uncover.”
Lauren Oliver also brings more than a decade of whisky industry experience. She was previously visitor experience manager at Arbikie Highland Estate Distillery and has worked across multiple distilleries in the Highlands and Speyside.
Lauren Oliver said, “Having spent over a decade immersed in the world of Scotch, I’ve developed not just a deep technical knowledge, but an ever-growing passion for sharing the story of the ‘water of life’. Being part of the team at Glencadam at such a monumental time as the distillery celebrates 200 years of whisky-making heritage is a fantastic opportunity – one I’m proud to be part of. It’s an exciting chapter for the whisky community but also the entire Angus community as we prepare to open up the world of Glencadam.”
The visitor centre will include exhibition space covering the history of the East Highland distillery, as well as tasting rooms, a whisky lounge, retail shop, café and a function suite. The development is expected to bring additional footfall and economic benefit to the Angus area and create new hospitality opportunities.