Brown-Forman CEO Lawson Whiting to Retire

Brown-Forman Corp. announced Lawson Whiting has decided to retire from his role as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective upon the appointment of a successor.

The Brown-Forman Board of Directors has initiated a search pursuant to its succession process that will consider internal and external candidates. The process will be led by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, which is chaired by Tracy Skeans.

Whiting will remain available to serve in an advisory capacity for a period of time following the appointment of a successor to ensure business continuity and support a smooth handover.

"Under Lawson’s leadership, Jack Daniel's extended its presence into new international markets and categories, Woodford Reserve grew into the world’s leading super-premium American whiskey, and our founding brand, Old Forester, tripled in volume and increased net sales six-fold over the last decade. Today, Brown-Forman’s portfolio is one of the most respected in the global spirits industry. The Board is deeply grateful for his leadership and his commitment to the people and brands of Brown-Forman.” said Marshall B. Farrer, Chairman of Brown-Forman.

Farrer added, “We appreciate Lawson giving us ample notice of his decision to retire, as it allows the Board the opportunity to conduct a robust review of both internal and external talent.

"Lawson will continue to advance our strategic and operational priorities, including expanding our geographic footprint, building brands that resonate with consumers, and enhancing operational efficiency, while the Board conducts the succession process.”

“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead Brown-Forman,” Whiting said. “From my earliest days with the company to my time as CEO, my tenure has been defined by the extraordinary people I have worked alongside. We are entering this transition from a position of strength. Brown-Forman has principled leadership, a foundation of iconic brands, and a global team with immense depth and talent. I have every confidence that the succession process will surface the right leader for Brown-Forman’s next generation of growth, and I look forward to supporting a seamless handoff that ensures our momentum never wavers.”

Wolf Pen Branch, which represents a controlling interest in Brown-Forman said, “We appreciate Lawson’s leadership and three decades of dedicated service to Brown-Forman. We are confident in the competitive position and financial strength of the business and in the Board's process underway to identify the next CEO to capitalize on growth opportunities for Brown-Forman.”