Brown-Forman CEO Lawson Whiting to Retire
Synopsis
The Jack Daniel's maker has begun searching for a new chief executive, with Lawson Whiting set to remain in the role until his successor is appointed.
Brown-Forman’s chief executive will be leaving after President and Chief Executive Officer Lawson Whiting advised the board he plans to retire when the company selects a new chief executive.
The manufacturer of Jack Daniel’s indicated that the company would pursue both internal and external candidates, and the process would be overseen by Whiting.
Before his elevation to CEO in 2019, Whiting served as chief operating officer of the Brown-Forman company, where he joined in 1997.
Over his tenure at Brown-Forman, he presided over the global premium spirits business, which included Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester and Herradura throughout North America, Europe, Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
Leadership Change Follows Challenging Year
The next CEO at Brown-Forman comes after a challenging fiscal year for the company which saw net sales drop 1 percent to $3.93 billion for fiscal year 2026. The company’s operating income declined 10 percent to $1.0 billion.
Brown-Forman cited soft consumer spending and a decline in demand for beverage alcohol, among developed markets, for the downturn.
Australia remains among the company’s larger foreign markets, making up 5 percent of Brown-Forman’s net sales. That amount places it in front of France and the U.K. In terms of revenue, according to the company’s most recent Annual Report.
While consumers can still purchase Jack Daniel’s and Woodford Reserve in Australia at retail and hospitality outlets, the leadership transition is significant.
Board Begins CEO Search
This year has already been marked by several important developments for the company, and this CEO transition will be another notable one.
A US$15 billion buyout bid reportedly was made by rival Sazerac, however, Brown-Forman declined to enter into negotiations on that offer. There is still no final arrangement between Brown-Forman and French distiller Pernod Ricard.
In order to cover duties until a new chief executive is put in place, Chair of the Board of Directors Marshall Farrer indicated that Whiting would keep the role. At the time of this writing, Brown-Forman does not have a defined timeline for the completion of the search process.
Source: Reuters
Pooja Malik is a business journalist with over six years of experience covering startups, entrepreneurship, and emerging trends. She has previously worked with leading media platforms such as YourStory Media and BW BusinessWorld, where she reported on business, policy, and market developments. Currently, she serves as Editor at The Inspirepreneur Magazine, where she writes and edits stories across business, lifestyle, and travel, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and reader relevance.
