Walkers Shortbread chairman to retire

Iconic shortbread maker Walkers has announced the retirement of its chairman Michael Walker after a decade in the role.

The Speyside-based company said Bob Brannan would be joining as non-executive chairman to replace Walker from 25 May.

Brannan has chaired a number of company boards including, currently, Richard Irvin & Sons and Deltic Group. He has also held the position of group managing director with distillers William Grant & Sons and Whyte & Mackay.

The move follows the recent recruitment of Steve Mccarney who joined the business at the beginning of the year as chief commercial officer and whose role along with Brannan’s appointment will “ensure the longevity of Walkers, maintaining a secure platform from which the business can continue to grow”, the firm said.

In a statement, Walkers Shortbread said: “The board would like to place on record its appreciation for all that Michael has achieved during his tenure and to wish him a long and very happy retirement.

“With 2018 marking its 120th anniversary, Walkers continues to build on their reputation as purveyors of the world’s finest shortbread and one of Scotland’s best-known brands employing around 1,500 people in Speyside, faithfully maintaining its tradition of using original recipes using only the finest ingredients.”

In 2017, the firm was granted a royal warrant of appointment from the Queen for the supply of shortbread to the royal household. 0 Bob Brannan becomes chairman from 25 May