Scottish biotechnology firm Horizon Proteins has appointed Iain Lochhead as its new chief executive in a boardroom reshuffle.
Co-founder Nik Willoughby will now become chief technology officer.
Lochhead, a former Bacardi UK operations director who has over 20 years of whisky industry experience, joined the company last year and has been providing strategic consulting.
Chairman Ian Hamilton said: “Iain’s appointment is tremendous news; he brings with him vast knowledge of the industry that will help us drive the business forward.
“He was immediately excited by our technology and understood how it can revolutionise the whisky industry while at the same time bring wider sustainability benefits.”
Horizon Proteins helps to transform under-utilised whisky distilling co-products into nutrients for the aqua and animal feed industries.
The patented technology, which involves recovering protein from pot ale - liquid residue left over from the whisky-making process - has become an element in developing Scotland’s circular bioeconomy.
Every year, the malt whisky industry in Scotland alone produces around three billion litres of pot ale.
Willoughby said: “The addition of Iain to the team is a clear signalling of our intent to show the market what Horizon Proteins can do.
“It also gives us greater capacity to explore other opportunities in this area, be dynamic and positively contribute to true sustainability both in Scotland and globally.”
