Scotch Whisky Association appoints new director of legal affairs

Alan Park has been promoted to the position of director of legal affairs at the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), replacing Magnus Cormack who leaves the organisation he joined 33 years ago.

Mr Park, who takes up the role at the end of this month, is currently senior legal counsel at the SWA.

Scotch Whisky is a geographical indication (GI), meaning it must be produced in Scotland in accordance with UK law from water, cereals and yeast and matured for at least three years. One of the main responsibilities of the SWA is to protect Scotch Whisky from unfair competition.

As senior legal counsel, Mr Park was responsible for the association’s legal work in a number of jurisdictions across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America including Germany, Turkey, Thailand, Australia, Nigeria and Mexico. He is a member of the European Communities Trade Mark Association’s (ECTA’s) GI committee and he sits on the European Union group of the Organisation for an International Geographical Indications Network (OriGIn) on behalf of the SWA.

He is a Scottish qualified solicitor and a graduate of the the University of Glasgow. Before joining the SWA in 2003 he was a litigation partner in a Glasgow law firm.

David Frost, Scotch Whisky Association chief executive, said: “We wish Magnus Cormack all the best for the future and thank him for his many years of sterling work for the SWA. And I’m delighted that Alan Park has agreed to step up to the position of director of legal affairs. I’m sure he’ll continue the excellent work of Magnus in safeguarding Scotch Whisky around the world.”

Mr Park said: “Since 2003 I’ve been committed to protecting Scotch from unfair competition and helping tackle the issue of fakes in several markets across the globe.

“I have always been passionate about working for such a fantastic industry and it will be a privilege to lead the legal affairs team as we ensure Scotch retains its status as a world-leading spirit drink of the highest quality.”

The SWA is currently recruiting another legal counsel. Mr Park will lead a team of four legal counsel, one paralegal and two departmental assistants.