Image: Marshall B Farrer (left) and Campbell P Brown

 

Drinks company Brown-Forman, which owns Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve, and Chambord, among other brands, has announced a change to its board of directors. Campbell P Brown will step down as chair of the Brown-Forman board of directors in July 2025. Subject to re-election, Brown is expected to remain on the board as a director.

 

Also subject to re-election, the incoming chair of the board will be Marshall B Farrer. Farrer is a current director of the board, and a fifth-generation descendent of Brown-Forman’s founder. Farrer is executive vice president of Brown-Forman and became its first chief strategic growth officer in 2023.

 

Farrer commented: “Being named chair of the board is a profound honour, and I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by my fellow board members. I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by Campbell and continuing our legacy of strategic growth.” 

 

Also a descendent of the company’s founder, Brown has served as chair of the board of directors since 2021, when he took over from his brother George Garvin Brown IV upon the latter’s retirement. He joined the board of directors in 2016 and has previously been president and managing director of Brown-Forman bourbon brand Old Forester. 

 

Brown said: “It has been an honour to serve as chair of the board and to work alongside the many talented professionals who comprise Brown‑Forman's board of directors and executive leadership team. Brown‑Forman has always believed that thoughtful, well-planned leadership transitions strengthen our company for the long term. After working closely with board leadership, the time is right to entrust the role of chair to my cousin and fellow board member, Marshall Farrer.”