Our second annual BWA Members’ Forum will take place on Friday 20th March 2026, at RPC in London, and will include a variety of specialist speakers covering a number of topics.
This year we are happy to welcome Stuart Maxwell, Chief Operating Officer at Proof 8.
About Stuart
Stuart Maxwell is the Chief Operating Officer at Proof 8, where his role is to lead the company’s global expansion and ensure its platform continues to solve the most critical operational challenges facing modern distilleries and warehouses today.
A former Head of Product, Stuart has been instrumental in shaping the platform to date, with tools like Real-Time Liquid Summaries, Smart Scheduling and Digital Deeds, all of which enable spirits businesses to scale with confidence, reduce compliance risk and improve transparency across every stage of spirits production.
Stuart joined Proof 8 from William Grant & Sons, where he spent over a decade mastering all aspects of operations—from technical process innovation and liquid supply to maturation. His deep sector knowledge and digital-first mindset make him uniquely positioned to support the digital transformation of the spirits industry. He combines a hands-on understanding of its traditions and day-to-day realities with a clear vision for how technology can protect heritage, streamline operations, and raise industry standards.
A Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers (CIBD) Diploma graduate, awarded the Briggs of Burton Prize in 2017, Stuart also holds an MChem in Pure & Applied Chemistry from the University of Strathclyde. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the CIBD’s Scottish section.
What will Stuart discuss?
Future-proofing warehouse operations post WOWGR
With regulatory demands and operational complexity increasing in warehousing, the need for strategic innovation has never been greater. In this session, Stuart will discuss how innovation ensures resilience, compliance and transparency for warehouses in a post WOWGR world, along with the technologies that are driving real, tangible benefits across the sector.
From real-time tracking, automated compliance and secure digital cask ownership, Stuart will share best practice examples and lessons learned from working with BWA members, offering practical insights into what’s working, why it matters and how to apply it.
