Brent Bowie, Co-founder & Managing Director

~

Brent’s traditional skill, entrepreneurial vision, and commitment to quality have firmly established Oakwood as a leading name in the global whisky industry. He also champions a practical, mentorship-based path into cooperage, stressing the importance of physical dexterity, resilience, and a willingness to learn—a mindset he feels defines the craft today.

~

Brent Bowie is a Master Cooper and industry leader with over three decades of experience in the Scotch whisky sector. Raised in Speyside, the heart of whisky production, Brent began his cooperage training during his school years and went on to refine his craft at Glenfiddich and Joseph Brown & Sons, mastering traditional techniques that remain central to Oakwood’s operations.

As Co-Founder and Managing Director of Oakwood Cooperage Ltd, Brent has overseen the company’s growth into Scotland’s largest independent cooperage, with operations across Keith, Uddingston, and Airdrie. Under his leadership, Oakwood now serves both domestic and international markets, with an annual capacity exceeding half a million barrels.

Brent is a strong advocate for skills development and craftsmanship. He established Oakwood’s structured four-year apprenticeship programme, accredited by the Cooper’s Federation of Great Britain, and continues to champion innovation while preserving the integrity of traditional cooperage methods.