Alex Short

Leading figure in whisky industry Born: June 13 1967; Died: July 4 2016

ALEX Short, who has died aged 49, was a trusted business leader who became a prominent figure in Scotland’s drinks industry – for 12 years he held various roles at William Grant & Sons before joining the makers of Irn-Bru AG Barr as finance director. Latterly, he was chief financial officer with the whisky distiller Edrington.

A product of Edinburgh Academy, he went on to study commerce at Napier University. His BA hons degree touched a broad range of subjects such as financial management and information systems, which equipped him well for his future career.

Like many Scots of that era, graduate recruitment took him south when he joined Coca-Cola in Uxbridge in 1989. He learned quickly about the processes of big brand organisations and used that to good effect when he joined Coopers and Lybrand Consulting. This was the period when large companies turned their attention to the supply chain, squeezing out efficiencies that would flow through to increased profit. Mr Short was able to work with some of the giants of the FMG world including Procter and Gamble, Unilever, and Mars, learning techniques that he would later deploy on returning to Scotland.

He returned to work on Scotland’s most famous product, Scotch whisky, when he joined William Grant & Sons in 1996. Here his career developed quickly, taking him from financial controller for the packaging business on to group operations director and executive board member, and ultimately becoming group finance director on the supervisory board. Over a 12-year spell he developed a love of the Scotch whisky business and his achievements are remembered fondly by his colleagues. He would be quick to point out that all those highlights were eclipsed when he met his future wife, Ellen, at the company.

In addition to his financial expertise he also developed a reputation for giving good advice to others. Ian Steele, a friend and former colleague, recalls no one asked Mr Short for help and was refused, and they all got more from him than they expected.

His career switched from private to public when he joined AG Barr as finance director in 2008. Working closely with chief executive Roger White he made an immediate impact on the business with the financing and completion of the Rubicon acquisition in his first eight weeks.

Mr White recalls Mr Short made an instant positive impression throughout the business – his experience and approachable commercial style marked him out as a finance director with more than just the numbers on his mind.

He carved out a special role in the home of Scotland’s other national drink in a period when its market capitalisation grew from £250 million to £700m. At AG Barr he adapted to the rigours of public company life quickly and with flair – he developed a strong, trusted relationship with the City where his honesty, openness and integrity were welcomed and appreciated.

He stood out as being ambitious and confident but at the same time was happy to poke fun at himself, whether dressing as a gladiator, giant cuckoo, or policeman at various company events. A man with an endless stream of anecdotes in which he was usually the butt of the joke, he knew instinctively when the mood needed lightening in an otherwise dull meeting.

His good humour was accompanied by expertise and experience, bringing him the respect of colleagues in the finance profession. He joined the Scottish Finance Director Group in 2006 and was their chairman in 2011.

His love of the Scotch whisky business brought him to Edrington as chief financial officer in September 2014. He knew the company well and was an admirer of its ethos and its brands. Edrington is a business that has rapidly internationalised and his first weeks in the job took him on tour with the annual market reviews. CEO Ian Curle recalls Mr Short’s trademark rapid impact was in evidence again. Networking with the VVIPs of Singapore he was quickly sniffing out, and committing to, opportunities to develop the business.

In less than two years he led many business improvements covering the high ground of strategy through to transformations in systems. Edrington is a company that thrives on partnerships and relationships, and Mr Short’s charisma and competence became key ingredients in their smooth running.

His prodigious work rate and meticulous preparation caught everyone’s eye but he will be best remembered for his human qualities. Outside of work he liked socialising with his friends, having a couple of drinks and sharing some stories. He was also a keen golfer.

He lived and worked for his family. The motivation for his hard work and his determination was Ellen and their three children, Rebecca, Stephanie and Nicholas. Although Alex spent many hours between office and travels, he was very much a hands-on father. His children were immensely proud of him and his work but relished their family time. A fun father and loving husband, he was incredibly proud of his family and they were every bit as proud of him.

His untimely death leaves a gap in the lives of the business community, friends, and family who will remember him with love.