RITA GREENWOOD BECOMES FIRST FEMALE CHAIR OF SCOTCH WHISKY ASSOCIATION COUNCIL

The Scotch Whisky Association has appointed Rita Greenwood of William Grant & Sons as Chair of its Council, marking the first female appointment in its 114-year history. Greenwood steps in for a two-year term during a period of global market pressures, regulatory change, and sustainability priorities for the Scotch whisky industry.  

Rita Greenwood, Chief Investment Officer at William Grant & Sons, has been appointed Chair of the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) Council, becoming the first woman to hold the role in the Association’s 114-year history. Greenwood succeeds Chivas Brothers as Chair and will serve a two-year term leading the Council’s 16 representatives from member companies who collectively guide the industry’s strategic direction and policy priorities.

With 23 years of experience in the Scotch whisky sector and a seat on the William Grant & Sons Executive Board since 2017, Greenwood steps into the position at a time of heightened complexity for the category. The industry continues to face sustained pressures from global trade uncertainty, potential tariff volatility, regulatory shifts, and increased urgency to accelerate sustainability commitments across production and supply chains.

The SWA Chief Executive, Mark Kent, welcomed Greenwood’s appointment, highlighting the role her commercial acumen and strategic track record will play in steering Scotch whisky through a period of headwinds. “Scotch whisky is being significantly impacted by multiple challenges both here at home and in our global markets, but the industry is focused on overcoming these challenges and delivering long-term sustainable growth,” Kent said, noting the importance of the Council in preparing the sector for future opportunities. Greenwood’s leadership, he added, would be pivotal to ensuring Scotch whisky enters the next decade “in a position of strength”.

For Greenwood, the appointment spans both symbolic and strategic significance. She described the SWA as vital in unifying the sector’s interests and sharpening its international profile at a moment when members are navigating a tough commercial environment. “Scotch whisky has a remarkable global reputation and makes a significant economic contribution, but members face a challenging global market at present, so it is more important than ever that we continue to raise its profile,” she said. Emphasising sustainability as a priority, she noted her commitment to securing a resilient future for the category and supporting the Council’s work to unlock long-term growth.

The leadership shift also reflects continuity of influence for independent distillers within the SWA’s governance structure, with William Grant & Sons following Chivas Brothers in the role. That handover underscores the shared responsibility among major producers to safeguard Scotch whisky’s international competitiveness and protect the sector’s heritage as it evolves.

As one of Scotland’s most globally recognised exports, Scotch whisky contributes billions annually to the UK economy and supports tens of thousands of jobs across production, supply, tourism, and hospitality. Yet future growth will likely require coordinated policy engagement and intensified investment across sustainability, market access, and brand building—areas the SWA Council is tasked with shaping.

Greenwood’s appointment signals the industry’s intent to confront those challenges collectively while broadening the perspectives shaping its agenda. Her tenure will be closely watched as the sector navigates a volatile global landscape, emerging regulatory frameworks, and increasing consumer expectations around provenance and environmental impact.