Appointment of New Managing Director, Stuart Common

We have appointed Stuart Common as our new Managing Director as we continue to grow and develop throughout the UK and abroad.

Stuart takes on his new role after working at Mackie’s for more than 16 years, most recently as Sales & Marketing Director. Stuart’s appointment coincides with our former Managing Director, Mac Mackie, taking on a new position as Executive Chairman, which will allow him more time to take a strategic overview of the business and its development.

Mac, who took on the MD role in 1998 to succeed his father and Mackie’s founder, Maitland Mackie, said “Stuart has already become an integral part of our senior management team over the last decade and I’m confident that he’s the right person to step into our MD role. He embodies the culture that underpins everything we do, not to mention his close ties with our largest supermarket, wholesale and foodservice trade accounts, many of which he personally established and built up.

“We’re putting in place the foundations for the business to continue to flourish. Stuart is young enough to thrive in the role for many years to come and will drive our agenda of growth, development and change. We’re proud to be a family business, and Stuart’s appointment will help ensure Mackie’s continues to thrive and grow for future generations.”

The moves follow a period of sustained growth for Mackie’s, which has seen us climb to become the sixth biggest food and drink brand in Scotland (Kantar Worldpanel) while reaching record market share south of the border.

Stuart started working with us here at Mackie’s in 2006 on a year-long placement during his studies at Robert Gordon University business school. After forging a career here in sales, Stuart briefly joined Aberdeen Journals in 2011 before returning to Mackie’s in 2012 as National Account Manager, taking responsibility for Mackie’s largest accounts. Progression to Sales Director followed in 2019 which then led to an expanded Sales and Marketing Director role in early 2022. Since 2019, Mackie’s has seen its turnover grow form £16.7m to £18.5m (FY 2021).

Stuart is well known in the local business community, being actively involved in supporting and promoting the Scottish food & drink sector, for example through his holding voluntary positions on the food, drink and agriculture board with Opportunity North East – a private sector led economic group, and his serving on the board of Developing the Young Workforce North East for more than six years.

Stuart said: “Mackie’s is a company that refuses to stand still, which is a huge source of motivation for me and my colleagues.

“I’ve enjoyed being part of a management team with such clear commitment to change, growth and internal investment to build and prepare for the future. The shared vision of continued growth and diversification is testament to the leadership that we have had in place since our inception as an ice cream business in 1986 and chocolate maker since 2016.

“It is a huge privilege to be entrusted with this role at what is one of Scotland – and the UK’s – best known family businesses.

“Mac has left a tremendous legacy, his hard work and determination has helped bring Mackie’s to the fore, and I am excited to develop the brand further and, with his continued guidance, continue pushing Mackie’s forward as one of Scotland’s best food companies, expanding sales around the world and furthering the sustainability goals at the heart of the company.”

We welcome and congratulate Stuart on his new role, and all look excitedly ahead to the next stage of the Mackie’s journey.