Hall of Fame

Russell is the major shareholder, managing director, and chairman of Ian Macleod Distillers. He has been in his family business since 1989, following a spell of brand marketing with IDV, and gaining a degree in economics. He also holds an MBA. At Ian Macleod, Russell has been passionate about building brands and exports, steadily migrating the business away from its traditional roots as a UK-centric spirits broker and private label supplier. The brand building has been assisted by the acquisitions of Glengoyne in 2003, Tamdhu in 2011, Edinburgh Gin in 2016, and Rosebank in 2017. Having closed in 1993, the reopening of Rosebank Distillery in 2024 was a major milestone for Ian Macleod. Ian Macleod is currently building a distillery in Laggan Bay on Islay, due to open in 2025. It has also recently completed work on Una, an Indian single malt whisky distillery in the foothills of the Himalayas. These brands now reflect the entrepreneurial, independent, international, and branded aspirations that Russell promotes in his successful family business.