Drambuie executive chairman dies

Mr Parnell is credited with returning the company to profitability

The executive chairman of the Drambuie Liqueur Company, Phil Parnell, has died after a short illness.

The company said he died after being admitted to hospital, suffering from cancer, earlier this month.

Mr Parnell was appointed to the boards of Drambuie Ltd and the Drambuie Liqueur Company in 2004.

He was credited with returning the company to profitability and was responsible for the development of the Drambuie brand rejuvenation strategy.

Before joining Drambuie, Mr Parnell held a number of senior executive roles, including 19 years at Guinness / United Distillers and six years at Dunlop Slazenger, overseeing the brand and business turnaround prior to its sale in 2004.

Drambuie managing director Michael Kennedy said: "Phil has been the driving force behind the rejuvenation of Drambuie over the last six years and led the company from its gradual decline to a thriving international drinks brand with an outstanding future.

"On a personal note he was a great visionary, a skilful marketer and incredibly interested in the development of all the team around him.

"Phil had very many friends and colleagues around the world and this will come as a shock to all those in the drinks and other industries he has been involved in over the last 36 years.

"Naturally our thoughts are very much with Phil's family at this time."

Richard Stone, a former non-executive chairman of Drambuie who retired from the company last year, is to return in the same role.

Drambuie's headquarters are registered in Glasgow, where its drinks are blended and bottled by distillers Morrison Bowmore.