Mackie’s of Scotland has appointed a new managing director.
Stuart Common, 36, has secured the role after working for more than 16 years at the Aberdeenshire firm, latterly as sales and marketing director.
His appointment, which commences with immediate effect, comes as former managing director Mac Mackie, 56, chooses a new position as executive chairman, to have more time to take a strategic overview of the business.
Mac, who took on the top job in 1998 to succeed his father and Mackie’s founder, Maitland Mackie, said: “Stuart has already become an integral part of our senior management team over the last decade and I’m confident that he’s the right person to step into our MD role.
“He embodies the culture that underpins everything we do, not to mention his close ties with our largest supermarket, wholesale and foodservice trade accounts, many of which he personally established and built up.
“Stuart is young enough to thrive in the role for many years to come and will drive our agenda of growth, development and change.”
Mackie’s remains a family business, with Mac’s sister Kirstin McNutt continuing in her role as head of new product development and the recent arrival of Mac’s nephew Angus Hayhow marking the first of the fifth generation to join the business.
The moves follow a period of sustained growth for Mackie’s, which has climbed to become the sixth biggest food and drink brand in Scotland, according to Kantar Worldpanel data, while reaching record market share south of the border.
The business has also completed its largest ever internal investment programme with the installations of new ice cream filling capability and a low-carbon refrigeration system.
Edinburgh born and raised, Common started working at Mackie’s in 2006 on a year-long placement during his studies at Robert Gordon University business school.
While there, he began to forge a career in sales before moving to Aberdeen Journals in 2011.
The former Balerno High School pupil returned to Mackie’s in 2012 as national account manager, taking responsibility for Mackie’s largest accounts, before progressing to sales director in 2019.
Common also holds positions on the food, drink and agriculture board with Opportunity North East and has served on the board of Developing the Young Workforce North East for more than six years.
He said: “I’ve enjoyed being part of a management team with such clear commitment to change, growth and internal investment to build and prepare for the future.
“The shared vision of continued growth and diversification is testament to the leadership that we have had in place since our inception as an ice cream business in 1986 and chocolate maker since 2016.
“Mac has left a tremendous legacy, his hard work and determination has helped bring Mackie’s to the fore, and I am excited to develop the brand further and, with his continued guidance, continue pushing Mackie’s forward as one of Scotland’s best food companies, expanding sales around the world and furthering the sustainability goals at the heart of the company.”
Since 2019, Mackie’s has seen its turnover grow from £16.7m to £18.5m.
The company still produces all its ice cream using fresh milk and cream from the dairy herd at its fifth generation family farm, Westertown, near Inverurie.
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