The Glaswegian joins the Stonehaven-based food firm following more than eight years at Edrington and has worked as head of HR for household brands like Heineken and The Macallan.

Mr McGovern will now manage the personal development of more than 250 staff members at Macphie – looking especially at the training and boosting of digital skills across the team, while supporting the family business’s company culture.

He said: “The role very quickly made sense to me. Having worked in the food and drink industry for the best part of two decades, I’ve always been aware of Macphie’s very high reputation.

“There’s a reason why it has a base of high tenure among staff and that’s because Macphie is an extremely well-run business, with a strong family ethos and people-led company culture. It’s now my job to protect and enhance that wherever I can.

“There are big growth plans and the hard-working team are central to that. By working closely with each other we can continue to be proud of the work we’re doing in a sector that is extremely important in Scotland and the UK.”

Mr McGovern left Glasgow Caledonian University with a Masters in Logistics before taking up logistical roles at Exel, DHL, Scottish & Newcastle PLC and Heineken thereafter. It was there that he made the transition into HR, after showcasing an adept skill of managing relationships with trade unions while overseeing staff.

The hire enhances Macphie’s new-look leadership team with the food firm recently announcing a string of impressive appointments, including Donald MacDonald as operations director and Ed Widdowson as strategy and sustainability director.

Andy Stapley, chief executive at Macphie Ltd, said: “Paul brings with him some incredibly valuable experience and skills. Having worked for some of the top drink brands in the world, we’re delighted to be welcoming Paul into an already-strong leadership team.

“The appointment adds another driven, skilled and highly experienced operator to the Macphie leadership team. We’ve added some excellent talent in the past 12 months which is critical in our push for global expansion.”

Originally founded in 1928 in Glasgow, the company later relocated to Glenbervie, near Stonehaven, in 1973, it has since grown to have 250 employees with revenues of over £70 million.