Successful local businessman awarded Alumnus of the Year

Fiona Leslie, Development and Alumni Relations Manager said: “Congratulations to Kenny on winning our Alumnus of the Year. The award was established to recognise the outstanding achievements of individuals who have graduated from Perth College UHI.

“We’re delighted to present him with the annual honour as he has shown business excellence within the alumni community, creating his own successful company based within Perthshire, selling to 17 different export markets and doubling turnover within 6 years. Morrison and MacKay Ltd have a major presence in the UK whisky specialist retail trade, as well as being involved in over 60 events across the UK annually.

“We want to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our alumni who have made a major contribution to business, arts, science or the community and Kenny is an outstanding example of achieving business success.”

Kenny added: “I’m thrilled to be given this honour by Perth College UHI. My Business Studies HNC qualification at the beginning of my career gave me a qualification that helped me get to where I am today. We’re extremely proud of our roots, with all of our production taking place in Perthshire and the City of Perth’s important role in the development of Scotch Whisky worldwide. As we are committed to our local community, with our new bottling, blending and office facilities being built at Aberargie, the college also plays an essential part in enriching our communities’ lives by increasing their life chances.”

Kenny left Perth Academy in 1977 and started as a trainee with Peter Thomson (Perth) Limited.  He worked his way up through the company, gaining a Business Studies HNC qualification at Perth College UHI on a day-release basis.

In 1983, Peter Thomson was acquired by Reo Stakis to complement the Haddows off-licence chain and wholesale business. At the time the firm was the agent for a strong portfolio of drinks brands in Scotland including The Macallan single malt, Beefeater Gin and Bertola sherry. The company also had a strong market for its own blended whisky called Beneagles. During this time, Kenny worked in a number of marketing and sales roles.

In 1985, Scottish and Newcastle Breweries acquired Peter Thomson (Perth) Ltd. The whisky interests was incorporated into Charles Mackinlay and Co based in Leith, which was the sister company of Waverley Vintners Limited, owned by Scottish and Newcastle.  At that time, Kenny became Product Group Manager for Peter Thomson Agencies and latterly Director and General Manager as they acquired the agencies for a range of wine and spirit brands including Glenellen (Californian), MacWilliams (Australian) and Pommery (champagne house).

He left Peter Thomson Agencies in 1993 for Morrison Bowmore Distillers (MBD) where he was Global Sales and Marketing Director, travelling extensively promoting the Bowmore, Glengarioch and Auchentoshan brands to international markets.  At that time MBD was an independent, family owned company, but it was later purchased by Japanese company, Suntory.  Prior to him leaving in 2004, he was Managing Director of MBD brands division.

In January 2005 with other shareholders, he led a management buy in of The Scottish Liqueur Centre and this has since developed into Morrison and MacKay Ltd.  (The Morrisons are former owners of Morrison Bowmore Distillers). They describe themselves as family-owned Independent Scotch Whisky Merchants and Compounders (Producers) of the Finest Scottish Liqueurs. They produce a range of liqueurs including Columba Cream and Bruadar, but are also gaining a reputation for a range of whiskies which includes Old Perth Scotch Whisky.  This was originally created in the early 1900s by the Thomson family, well known grocers in the City and the ‘Thomson’ of Peter Thomson Agencies.  The brand had disappeared in the 70s, but has recently been resurrected and special cask bottlings have been done for events such as St Johnstone winning the Scottish Cup.

In addition to their own brands, Morrison and MacKay Ltd do a lot of contract and single cask bottlings for other producers and are currently building a new bottling, blending and office facilities just outside Abernethy at Aberargie as the company prepare for their next stage of growth. As well as Germany and Holland, where the business has traded for many years, the business hopes to flourish in the newer markets of Asia, in particular Japan and China. The company currently employs 13 permanent staff; 6 in bottling and blending and 7 in sales and administration.

Kenny is a Master of the Keepers of the Quaich and is also a Freeman of the City of London through his membership of the Worshipful Company of Distillers where he is now Renter Warden.

His son, Peter, is now developing his own career within the family business having recently passed his distilling exams.  He also travels extensively doing PR and tasting events.

• Would you like to nominate someone for the Alumnus of the Year Award? If you know of someone who has graduated from Perth College UHI and has made a valuable contribution to the community or has achieved success in their career please email fiona.leslie@perth.uhi.ac.uk