New Chair of SWA Council appointed

Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has appointed Chivas Brothers’ Chairman Jean-Etienne Gourgues as the new Chair of the SWA Council. The Chair of the SWA, whose appointment runs on a two-year rotational basis, heads the association’s Council which comprises 16 representatives from SWA member companies.

Jean-Etienne Gourgues was appointed Chivas Brothers’ Chairman and CEO in July 2021. Chivas Brothers succeeds Diageo as Council Chair, and Jean-Etienne becomes the association’s 23rd Chair in its 112 year history.

The SWA Council meets four times a year to support and advise on the Scotch whisky industry’s strategic priorities on behalf of its members. The Scotch Whisky Association represents the interests and priorities of the Scotch whisky industry. As of 2024, SWA has more than 90 member companies, comprising distillers, blenders and bottlers.