The Scotch Whisky Association appoints first female CEO

Karen Betts, the British ambassador to Morocco, has become the first woman to lead the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Betts was appointed CEO last week.

She is the eighth person to head the association in its 105-year history and will join the SWA from May 19. David Frost stepped down from the job in November 2016 to become an adviser to Foreign Secretary Boris Johnston on the Brexit process.

"It's an exciting and challenging time for the Scotch Whisky industry, and I am looking forward immensely to helping ensure its success into the future," she said. "I am also delighted to be moving back to Edinburgh with my family."

SWA chairman Pierre Pringuet added that Betts would bring "fresh leadership".

"Her wide international experience will be particularly valuable as we work with government to grow the Scotch whisky industry globally and make a success of the UK's exit from the EU."

Betts spent 16 years with the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office. She also held positions in the UK Cabinet Office as a national security advisor, and as the deputy chief of assessments staff; has worked on Middle East security policy; and in the British Embassy in Baghdad. 

It's a big year for the SWA - the Association is currently taking legal action to halt the Scottish government's plans for a minimum alcohol price.

It has also condemned a decision by the UK government to lift its 2015 freeze on spirits duties. The SWA had called for the duty on whisky to be cut by 2% to support the further growth on the industry. Instead, the excise duty on spirits will rise by nearly 4%.

“A nearly 4% duty rise and a 79% tax burden on a bottle of whisky is a major blow, reversing recent progress,” said Julie Hesketh-Laird, SWA acting chief executive. “Distillers will find it hard to understand why the Chancellor is penalising a strategically important British industry with this tax increase.

“Tax on Scotch Whisky is now so high – nearly 80% of the price of an average bottle will go straight to the Government. We believe this duty rate increase will reduce total tax revenue. We are calling on the Government to reverse this punitive tax hike and fundamentally overhaul what is clearly a flawed excise duty system.”