GLASGOW-based wholesaler JW FILSHILL, owner of the KeyStore convenience store brand, has appointed Chris Miller to the new position of group commercial director.
Miller, who remains a director of both JW Filshill International Ltd (The Craft Beer Clan of Scotland), the company’s international division, launched in 2014, and the Clan Brewing Company, its beer distribution and production business, launched last year, will be responsible for the day-to-day strategic direction of the overall group and will also focus on new business opportunities.
His new role will see him head up Filshill’s category trading teams and assume responsibility for the strategy and growth of the group’s on-trade operation.
“The business has gone through considerable transition and growth in a relatively short period of time so we now need to create a stronger and more sustainable management structure to reflect that,” said Simon Hannah, managing director of Filshill.
“Chris has been working with us for over two years now, having been brought on board to build our international business, which has since expanded its remit to represent Scottish distillers as well as craft brewers in key export markets around the globe. As group commercial director he brings an exceptional breadth of experience as well as synergies that will benefit the wider domestic Filshill business.”
“Chris has known our business for 20 years, he understands our culture and our high levels of ambition – he is a perfect fit for this role.
Miller, whose previous roles include chief executive of Harviestoun Brewery in Clackmannanshire, said: “Filshill is a forward-thinking company which is diversifying in exciting ways and I’m delighted to be more heavily involved in the wider business.
“This a challenging time for us as we strive to build and develop new markets both at home and overseas in collaboration with other partners including Scotland Food & Drink, Scottish Development International and Scottish Enterprise.
“What we are doing is realigning our existing trading team to best suit our domestic and international growth strategies, utilising the talented and committed individuals already working within the business in order to achieve our commercial goals.”