Beverage giant Lion has announced that Four Pillars Gin co-founder and head distiller, Cameron Mackenzie, will be finishing up with the company, passing on the Healesville-based distillery's team leadership role to Sarah Prowse.
Lion acquired the remaining 50 per cent of the Victorian craft gin maker brand in July 2023, having bought 50 per cent of the distiller in March 2019. Since then, Four Pillars has been part of Lion’s Vanguard Luxury Brands distribution business, in a stand-alone spirits division called Four Corners Global Spirits.
“Today I announce my departure from Four Pillars - it’s time to step away,” said Mackenzie in an email to staff.
“I can’t think of a more worthy successor than Sarah to pass the baton (or the still) over to. Prowsey and I have worked side by side since 2020, and she has been instrumental in the growth of Four Pillars without compromising quality, with the consistency of these gins reflected in the countless awards and accolades that the distillery receives each year.
“I wish nothing but the best for the Four Pillars brand and team and am confident I’m leaving the brand in the very best of hands.”
Amongst other accomplishments, Mackenzie was named International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) Master Distiller of the Year (2023), was inducted into the Australian Distillers Hall of Fame this year, and is the master behind Four Pillars winning International Gin Producer of the Year at the IWSC three times (2019, 2020 & 2023).
Lion CEO, Sam Fischer, said he would like to personally thank Cameron for his many contributions and wish him well as he enjoys a well earned long break.
"After an incredible decade with Four Pillars, founder and Head Distiller, Cameron Mackenzie, has decided it’s time to step away from the business. We are deeply grateful for his vision, passion, and leadership that have shaped Four Pillars into what it is today,” said Fisher.
“Sarah Prowse, Head of Production and Distilling, will continue to lead the world-class distilling team as she has done since 2022 doing so with a commitment to quality and passion for innovation which is so much a part of the Four Pillars DNA.”
Prowse has been with the business since 2020 as Production Manager and Distiller, following 15 years in winemaking producing wine in various regions from the Yarra Valley to Bordeaux.
Since joining Four Pillars, she has overseen the growth of the brand to beyond 1 million bottles per year.
