SIR GEORGE BULL Biography
Patron, Keepers of the Quaich

United Kingdom
Former Chairman
J Sainsbury
Former Joint Chairman
Diageo
Sir George Bull has had almost four decades’ experience in the wines and spirits trade.

After starting his career with a brief period in the advertising industry, Sir George entered the trade in 1957 and joined International Distillers and Vintners (IDV) in 1961.

During his first twenty years with IDV his responsibilities included UK marketing, export sales and European wine companies. He became Deputy Managing Director in 1982, then Chief Executive in 1984 and Chairman in 1987.

Having been appointed to the Board of Grand Metropolitan in 1985, he then moved from IDV’s drink sector to become Chairman and Chief Executive of GrandMet’s food sector in 1992. One year later he became Group Chief Executive of Grand Metropolitan, taking the Chairman’s role in 1996.

Sir George then became one of the principal architects of the largest merger in UK corporate history when he helped orchestrate the £22 billion Grand Metropolitan merger with Guinness. He became Joint Chairman of the newly merged company, Diageo, in December 1997, and retired from the company seven months later.

He then became Chairman of J Sainsbury, a position he held from August 1998 to March 2004.

Sir George was knighted in 1998 for services to the alcoholic drinks industry.

Lessons
Understanding The Consumer
Don’t try and tell the consumer what you want them to know, as this can prove to be a costly mistake. Instead, definitively research the market to understand what they want – and give them this information, rather than what you want them to hear.
Motivating Through Communication
Motivation by management facing issues head on, and communication with the whole company about these issues, can break down barriers and help new processes to thrive.

Source: BBC

ANDREW DEWAR-DURIE
Keepers of the Quaich, Management Committee, Vice Chairman

Mr Dewar-Durie’s career began in the whisky industry, initially involved in marketing and subsequently senior management. He was Managing Director of Allied Distillers from 1992 to 1997, and served as Chairman from 1997 to 1999. He is a former Chairman of Confederation of British Industry, Scotland, (1997-1999), having previously served as Vice Chairman in 1996. He has also been a Non-Executive Director of Britannic Asset Management (2001) and a Director of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo (2000). He joined the Sea Fish Industry Authority in April 2000. He is a member of the Council of the Scotch Whisky Association, a Master of the Keepers of the Quaich and became Chairman of the Confederation of British Industry Scotland in September 1997.

He appears to have no connection to the Dewars whisky though additional research may be necessary.