Head of Global Operations, Fiona Hunter, and a number of Speyside Capital team members recently joined the Bonded Warehouse Association’s annual House of Commons Lunch on 4th September 2025, featuring Andrew Griffith MP as the keynote speaker.
The 200 year old association brought together a diverse audience of business leaders and professionals from the industry, giving them the opportunity to engage and network with their peers as well as discuss current affairs within the industry.
Andrew Griffith, current Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade, was the key speaker and brought both political insight and business acumen to the fore, addressing attendees on the pressing challenges facing the business, logistics and hospitality sectors.
The lunch also provided valuable networking opportunities, bringing together business leaders in a setting that encouraged open dialogue.
"This was a fantastic event and a really valuable opportunity to engage with leaders across logistics and trade. For the Scotch whisky industry, these conversations are critical, as our sector relies on strong bonded warehouse infrastructure and forward-looking policy to ensure Scotch continues to thrive globally."
Griffith acknowledged the mounting pressures facing UK businesses, from rising costs and national insurance to business rates and the weight of new regulatory measures. While these challenges are acutely felt across bonded warehousing and logistics, they also highlight the resilience of industries like Scotch whisky, which continue to navigate complexity with innovation and global demand on their side.
His address struck a chord with attendees, many of whom work at the intersection of trade, storage and distribution where taxation and policy decisions carry immediate impact. Yet, for Scotch whisky, the message was clear: despite headwinds, the sector’s international stature and premium positioning ensure it remains a cornerstone of UK exports.
We look forward to continuing to attend events like this, with thanks to BWA for all their efforts.