Nishat Gupte will succeed Maurice Doyle as CEO of Scotch whiskymaker Compass Box.
The news follows last week’s announcement of Doyle’s departure. The company also appointed Neil Everitt as chairman in January following Dr Alan Rutherford’s retirement.
Gupte joins Compass Box following his nearly five-year tenure in New York as founding CEO of Betty Buzz and Betty Booze. He was previously head of European luxury and alcoholic beverage investment banking at Credit Suisse, where he led the sale of Aviation Gin to Diageo.
He has also held various finance roles at Citi, Diageo and Ernst & Young.
Gupte said: “I’m thrilled to join Compass Box, with its category-defining approach to crafting the most unique Scotch whisky. Partnering with Neil, whose track record in the industry has been extraordinary, gives us a remarkable platform to unleash the full potential of Compass Box’s signature quality and creativity.
“I look forward to further building on our commercial strategy while safeguarding the pioneering spirit that’s made Compass Box the favourite among Scotch tastemakers worldwide.”
With Everitt and Gupte at the helm, the blended whisky company is said to be entering a ‘new era of agility and focused execution’, with the duo aiming to ‘speed up’ the company’s progress.
Everitt added: “Compass Box has earned tremendous respect for challenging Scotch whisky conventions, and I’m honoured to come on board. Nishat’s blend of financial and commercial acumen and beverage industry experience complements Compass Box’s innovative DNA perfectly.
“Together with the team, we aim to expand the brand’s market presence, refine its commercial execution, and keep delivering top-tier whiskies that exceed expectations.”
Caelum Capital, a specialist beverage-focused investment firm, remains a key investor in Compass Box.
Last month, the whisky brand unveiled its second annual release of Hedonism blended grain whisky.
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Author: Miona Madsen
