Influential Moray business figure moves to whisky firm ACEO leading Dallas Dhu plans
A leading figure in the Moray business community has taken on a new challenge within the whisky industry.
George McNeil, previously managing director of retail at Johnston’s of Elgin, is moving to a new role as CEO of whisky firm Aceo Limited.
The company is behind efforts to bring whisky production and visitor amenities back to the Dallas Dhu distillery outside Rafford, and plans to turn the old Bank of Scotland building on Forres High Street into a “vibrant whisky hub” with a bar, restaurant, whisky shop and tasting rooms.
Aceo’s founder and managing director Edward Odim is set to take on a new role as chairman.
Headquartered in Edinburgh, the firm has built its business around cask whisky services and its own brands, including Murray McDavid, for the last 25 years.
The company has several whisky maturation warehouses at Kinloss, Coleburn and Royal Brackla at Cawdor which hold around 70,000 casks.
Aceo also has a “craft bottling hall” at Dandaleith, near Craigellachie, and owns Dallas Dhu House in Forres, Parkmore Distillery Manager’s House in Dufftown, an old stone-ruined Bothy in the Glenrinnes hills and Tide’s Edge Cottage and Beach Huts in Findhorn.
A company spokesperon said Mr McNeil would bring “innovative leadership skills and a wealth of luxury brand experience” to the new role.
During his 17 years at Johnston’s, the executive helped double turnover to £100m with luxury retail flagship store openings in locations from London to Edinburgh.
He also chaired the internal Sustainability Group, which supported the delivery of Johnstons of Elgin becoming a B Corp.
His passion for whisky was showcased in his recent role as the Chairman of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.
“After 17 wonderful years at world-renowned luxury Speyside textiles company Johnstons of Elgin, I am looking forward to this next chapter where I can combine my experience of retail, sustainable Scottish luxury and importantly, whisky, to build on Aceo’s record and develop the premiumisation and global reach of their expansive portfolio alongside their team,” Mr McNeil said.
“I can’t think of a better way to start 2025.”
Edward Odim said: "I am very pleased to welcome George McNeil as our new CEO.
“His proven track record in Scottish luxury brands and sales will help steer Aceo into an ambitious future, turbocharging a new era of growth focusing on premiumisation of our brands.
“With George as CEO, this is the perfect time for me to step into the Chairman role, focusing on strategic oversight and leading our Dallas Dhu Distillery project, whilst George helps to drive forward our brands and their sales.”
