ACEO APPOINTS INAUGURAL CEO TO SPEARHEAD GROWTH – Scotch Whisky News
(L-R: Edward Odim, George McNeil, Becca Smith)
ACEO APPOINTS INAUGURAL CEO TO SPEARHEAD GROWTH
Aceo Limited, a leading independent whisky bottler and provider of cask whisky management services, has announced a new chapter in its journey, with a major new appointment. Founder and Managing Director, Edward Odim, is transitioning to Chairman, paving the way for one of Scotland’s leading luxury brand directors, George McNeil, to become its inaugural Chief Executive Officer.
Headquartered in Edinburgh, for 25 years Aceo has been steadily building its business centred around cask whisky services as well as its own spirit brands which includes flagship Murray McDavid range of premium Scotch whisky. The company has several whisky maturation warehouses in Speyside, including 40,000 casks at Royal Brackla Distillery. Aceo is also reviving the historic Dallas Dhu Distillery in Speyside, with plans to return whisky production to the site and develop a state-of-the-art visitor attraction that honours its Victorian heritage.
Edward Odim, who has been at the helm of Aceo since its inception, has been instrumental in establishing the company’s reputation for whisky and its strong spirit brands, said:
“I am very pleased to welcome George McNeil as our new CEO. His proven track record in Scottish luxury brands and sales will help steer Aceo into an ambitious future, turbocharging a new era of growth focusing on premiumisation of our brands. With George as CEO, this is the perfect time for me to step into the Chairman role, focusing on strategic oversight and leading our Dallas Dhu Distillery project, whilst George helps to drive forward our brands and their sales.”
George McNeil brings innovative leadership skills and a wealth of luxury brand experience to his new role. For the last 17 years, he has been the Managing Director of the Retail Division at world -renowned heritage cashmere brand Johnstons of Elgin. In this role as part of the Senior Management Team, he helped double turnover to £100m with luxury retail flagship store openings in locations from London to Edinburgh. George also chaired the internal Sustainability Group, which supported the delivery of Johnstons of Elgin becoming a B Corp. His passion for whisky showcased in his recent role as the Chairman of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, positions him perfectly to lead Aceo in the next chapter of its history.
Commenting on his new role, Mr McNeil said:
“After 17 wonderful years at world-renowned luxury Speyside textiles company Johnstons of Elgin, I am looking forward to this next chapter where I can combine my experience of retail, sustainable Scottish luxury and importantly, whisky, to build on Aceo’s record and develop the premiumisation and global reach of their expansive portfolio alongside their team. I can’t think of a better way to start 2025.”
ABOUT ACEO
Aceo Limited has been in the Scotch whisky industry for 25 years and has built its own successful spirit brands which are sold around the world – including the award-winning and well-established Murray McDavid whisky. Aceo provides a wide range of B2B services including bottling, label design, cask storage and management, logistics and exports. Aceo has its HQ near Edinburgh but also has strong and longstanding ties with Scotland’s whisky production capital, Speyside. In addition to its whisky maturation warehouses at Kinloss, Coleburn and Royal Brackla (together holding approximately 70,000 casks), Aceo has a Craft Bottling Hall at Dandaleith near Craigellachie. Aceo is reviving the historic Dallas Dhu Distillery in Speyside, originally built in 1898 and closed since 1983, with plans to return whisky production to the site and develop a state-of-the-art visitor attraction that honours its Victorian heritage.
Aceo is transforming the historic Old Bank in Forres, Moray, into a vibrant whisky hub featuring a bar, restaurant, whisky shop and tasting rooms. Other assets in Speyside include; Dallas Dhu House in Forres, Parkmore Distillery Manager’s House in Dufftown, an old stone-ruined Bothy in the Glenrinnes hills and Tide’s Edge Cottage and Beach Huts in Findhorn.
- Aceo also owns The Murray McDavid Boat a 60ft traditional ex-pilot wooden boat on the River Clyde in Glasgow which hosts whisky tastings and events
- Click here for more information about Murray McDavid and ULTRA: Masterpieces of Time launch video here.
- Click here for more information on Dallas Dhu Distillery Project
For more information on Aceo Limited visit https://www.aceo.co.uk
