Neil Everitt, the founder of UK gin business Brockmans, has been appointed chair of Scotch whisky group Compass Box.

Everitt, who will take up the role in April, succeeds Dr Alan Rutherford, who has been Compass Box’s chair for 18 years.

Rutherford’s five-decade career includes time as production director at the then United Distillers, which now forms part of Diageo.

He said: “Serving as chairman of Compass Box has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my career. The team’s dedication to creativity and craftsmanship is unparalleled, and I am confident the company’s best days are still ahead.”

In October, Compass Box announced a £35m ($42.6m) package of financial support from banking group Santander.

The company, set up in 2000, sells in the UK, the US, China, Japan, France and Germany. It is looking to expand further in Europe and Asia.

In 2022, drinks-focused investor Caelum Capital – set up by ex-Diageo executive Manish Rungta – acquired what was described as a “significant majority shareholding” in the business.

Bacardi had bought an unspecified minority stake in Compass Box in 2015 but exited at the time of the Caelum Capital deal.

Everitt said: “I have long admired Compass Box for its bold approach to whisky making and its dedication to craftsmanship and creativity. It’s a fabulous business with lots of opportunities ahead and I am very much looking forward to working with the team.”

Last year, Brockmans appointed seasoned spirits executive Jean-Dominique Andreu as managing director.

Andreu created brands such as Cognac Pierre Ferrand, Plantation rum and Citadelle gin. In 2012, he joined Stoli Group before moving most recently to Cognac Camus Group where he was chief marketing officer, leaving in 2020.

Everitt still has a role at Brockmans as executive director.