Wolfcraig Distillers has announced the passing of one of its founding directors, Michael Lunn.
The 80-year-old whisky industry veteran died on Saturday after a short illness.
The prominent Scottish businessman was previously chairman and chief executive at Whyte and Mackay.
Prior to joining Wolfcraig, he also held senior management positions at the NHS, Paramount, Unwins Wine Group, Bernard Matthew Farms, Scottish Enterprise and Tiso.
In 2020, Michael joined forces with his son, Jamie Lunn, business partner John Moore and master blenders Richard Paterson OBE and Ian Macmillan, as part of the founding team behind Wolfcraig, a whisky brand based in central Scotland.
Paterson worked closely with him during his long tenure at Whyte and Mackay and described Michael as “a man on a mission”.
He said: “We met back in 1978, when he was Whyte & Mackay’s marketing director, he was young, energetic and full of drive, with a relentless passion to succeed; determined to make his mark.
“This attitude would never leave him.“ Paterson continued. “It is truly remarkable that even in his 80th year he was able to join us for our weekly board meeting in his final days; his passionate drive was still very much in evidence.
“He will be greatly missed, but his spirit will always be with us.”
Michael’s son Jamie, who is also a founding director at Wolfcraig Distillers, added: "The fact that my dad was in the boardroom room right up until the day before he passed showed his passion and desire to help make the Wolfcraig vision a reality.
“He always made time to speak to everybody collectively and individually and always offered his support - I will miss our Thursday board meetings, but will miss him more deeply on a personal level.“
Michael is survived by his wife Jennifer, his children - Stuart, Victoria, Jamie and Alex - along with his 10 grandchildren.
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