BrewDog appoints David Gates to MD of its distilling arm

By Lisa Riley

Published: 06 November, 2018

BrewDog has appointed David Gates, former managing director of Diageo Futures, as managing director of its distilling arm.

Taking on his new role with immediate effect, Gates brings 27 years of industry experience to the team and had been appointed to help the craft producer on its mission to “redefine the spirits industry by establishing a new standard for distillation with craft and quality at its heart", said BrewDog.

Gates’ “obsession with quality and flavour” made him a perfect fit for the role, said BrewDog founder James Watt, adding his proven success in building an established spirits division made him “a force to be reckoned with in the industry”.

“I’m thrilled to have him on board. I can’t wait to see where David takes LoneWolf - he shares our vision in standing as a marker and custodian of purist, truthful distillation methods, and his fresh, challenging thinking will not only take LoneWolf to new levels, but the entire category,” he said.

Gates stepped down as managing director of Diageo Futures earlier this year, having worked for Diageo for 27 years and was instrumental in driving growth of Diageo’s Premium Core spirits portfolio, which accounts for 50% of the company’s total net sales.

The appointment follows BrewDog’s distilling arm, LoneWolf, recently revealing plans to expand its spirit range beyond its vodka and gin to encompass whisky and rum.

Gates said: “The team has done an incredible job in putting LoneWolf on the map. I can’t wait to kick this mission up a gear, bringing that innovative and courageous attitude to the spirits world, especially with the introduction of whisky. Whilst huge strides have been made in whisky, the industry still lacks real innovation. We’re here to change that and inject more excitement, playfulness and creativity into spirits.”

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