Our Directors

Ewen Cameron » Chairman

First unleashed his drinks-industry talent in the Union Corner Wine Store (Leith Street, Edinburgh - now a carpet warehouse) in 1970. Still struggling to work out how to make an honest living in this most peculiar of trades. Left Scottish & Newcastle (RIP) in 2003 after a near 25 year shift, spending 10 delightful years latterly as MD of Waverley. Acts as consultant to a number of businesses mainly but not exclusively in the drinks field. A little bit proud, if pressed, to have played a role in returning Forth Wines to local ownership - and happy to chair only occasionally chaotic board meetings. Of indeterminate vintage, but bubbling with ambition. (That’s enough of the wine analogies – editor).

George Thomson » Managing Director

Having entered the trade no fewer than 38 years ago I may have the service of an “industry veteran” but I am glad to say I still enjoy the energy level of the spritely teenager who first began working for a division of Pedro Domecq. This was followed by spells with the old Distillers Company, Bass, and Charles Wells in Bedford. Returning to Scotland in 1987 with United Distillers granted me my first exposure to Forth Wines as their account handler. After a variety of senior management posts within UD I became Diageo’s commercial director in Scotland post the merger of Guinness and Grand Metropolitan and then went on to become Managing Director of Wm. Grant and Sons Scottish sales and marketing division. I formed my own small wholesale business Stellar Brands in 2006 and happily took the reigns at Forth in August 2010.

Ian Cumming » Commercial Director

I entered the licensed trade some 28 years ago with a company called, would you believe, ...Forth Wines Ltd... stayed for 6 years and then returned some 21 years later as part of the new management team. In between times I have always worked in the industry and developed the passion for wines and spirits. After a short, but hugely educational stint with Castle Cash and Carry in its heyday in Glasgow I then worked for a number of years for Tennent Caledonian Breweries in the wines and spirits division. I then decided to start up a new company along with some colleagues, called Express Vintners – this was then bought by Wallaces of Ayr and Wallaces Express was formed. Moving on I worked in the Marketing and Sales Divisions of Waverley Vintners ... Now WaverleyTBS ... for a total of 16 years. The time spent with Waverley was invaluable and enjoyable but it was time to do something else. The opportunity to put Forth back into Independent hands was a strong pull and I look forward to many successful years.

Alan Cramond » Finance Director

Alan has held various senior financial and commercial management positions within the gold mining, defence, renewable energy and drinks sectors both in the UK and overseas. After leaving the Babcock Group in 2003, Alan formed his own consultancy business and this eventually led to him joining the team in early 2010 to acquire Forth Wines. He brings a wealth of experience in managing and developing business through organic and acquisition growth. Alan is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.