The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) promotes, protects and represents the interests of the whisky industry in Scotland and around the world.
Email:
info@swa.org.uk
Address:
20 Atholl Crescent
Edinburgh
EH3 8HF
Telephone:
0131 222 9200
Fax:
0131 222 9237
Web Location:
SWA website
Scotch Whisky is iconic. With annual exports in excess of £2bn,
Scotch Whisky is one of the UK's leading exports and supports
thousands of jobs across the economy. Made only in Scotland, Scotch
Whisky is an ambassador for the country overseas and is recognised
as being of the highest quality.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) is the trade Association for
the Scotch Whisky industry. Its members account for more than 95%
of production and sales of Scotch Whisky.
The principal functions of the SWA can be summarised as
follows:
- To protect the integrity of Scotch Whisky worldwide
- To promote responsible attitudes to alcohol consumption
- To secure fair and equal access to international markets
- To tackle tax discrimination and secure appropriate regulation
of the industry
- To promote Scotch Whisky as a quality product made from natural
raw materials
- To represent the industry's interests at governmental level
both at home and abroad
The SWA can trace its origins back to 1917 when an
unincorporated body known as The Whisky Association was founded
with its main office in London, and branch offices in Scotland and
Ireland. In 1940 the Scottish branch became the principal
office.
As The Whisky Association did not fully meet the needs of the
Scotch Whisky industry, a new unincorporated Association known as
The Scotch Whisky Association was formed on 17 April 1942.
In 1960, The Scotch Whisky Association was incorporated under
the Companies Act 1948 (the word 'limited' being omitted by licence
of the Board of Trade), enhancing the Association's ability to
conduct legal actions around the world.
The Association is governed by a Council of 12 to 16 members,
elected at the Annual General Meeting. In its turn, the Council
appoints a number of committees to assist it and to advise it on
different aspects of its work.
The SWA has two offices, the principal office in Edinburgh and
an office in London. The Chief Executive is Gavin
Hewitt.