New finance chief for whisky giant William Grant & Sons

Glenfiddich maker William Grant & Sons has named Helen Cowing as its new group chief financial officer.

She joins the family-owned distiller from Octopus, the financial services and energy group, where she held a similar position.

Cowing (pictured) will be based at the firm’s operation in Strathclyde Business Park and will join the company’s supervisory and executive boards.

Her 30-year career includes stints at chief financial officer at ISG, Selecta Group and FatFace, as well as holding senior finance roles at PepsiCo, Novartis, AP Moeller, Nestle and Kraft Jacob Suchard.

Cowing said: “I’m delighted to join William Grant & Sons, as a global business in Scotland. William Grant & Sons has an impressive portfolio of brands and I value their long-term thinking. I look forward to contributing to profitable future growth for the business and working with a respected and accomplished team.”

Chief executive Simon Hunt added: “We’re delighted to welcome Helen Cowing to William Grant & Sons in this important role. Helen’s impressive leadership of global businesses, her international financial expertise and her commitment to values-based leadership in developing high performing teams, will make her a great addition to the executive board and the wider business.”

The firm’s other products include The Balvenie range of handcrafted single malts.