The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has recruited the former head of office for Danny Alexander, the MP and Chief Secretary to the Treasury who was defeated in the last general election.
Graeme Littlejohn has joined the whisky trade body as its head of external affairs in London to develop industry relationships across Whitehall and Westminster.
The SWA has also named a serving British Ambassador, Sarah Dickson, as its new director of global affairs, responsible for SWA’s international and European Union business.
Ms Dickson is leaving her post as HM Ambassador to Guatemala and Honduras in the summer to head up the SWA’s new London office near Westminster after it opens in July.
David Frost, SWA chief executive, said: “I’m delighted that Sarah and Graeme are joining the association. They bring a wealth of experience and will be real assets as we grow our presence in London and overseas.”
Helena Mumdzjana, a trade policy manager with the SWA, will move from Edinburgh to London and further trade and regulation specialists will be appointed to the team in due course.
Edinburgh will remain the SWA’s head office. The association will move from Atholl Crescent to the city’s modern Quartermile development over the summer.
Ms Dickson joins the whisky trade body to help build and extend the SWA’s international influence and contacts, eliminate barriers to the export of Scotch and position the organisation as one with broad international credibility on the importance of free trade and open markets.
Ms Dickson said: “I’m looking forward to joining the Scotch Whisky Association, an organisation recognised globally for its work in representing a highly successful Scottish and British industry. I will develop the association’s sterling work in trade policy and build its presence in London with the help of a strong team.”