BRIAN Calder was born in Renfrew and educated at Ayr Grammar and Ayr Academy.

He joined Wallaces Express full-time in 1975, having taken summer work at the company as a student since 1973. Alongside David Cosh, he helped build the then pub and retail business throughout Ayrshire before it moved drinks wholesaling in the mid-1980s.

Mr Calder became managing director of Wallaces in 2000, which came shortly before the business exited pubs and shops to focus on wholesaling. He staged a management buyout of the company with Chris Cosh in 2003.

C&C Group, owner of Glasgow-based Tennent Caledonian acquired a 50 per cent stake in Wallaces in 2013, and acquired the business outright in March last year. At that stage Mr Calder joined Tennent Caledonian and soon became chief executive.

Outside work, Mr Calder relaxes by fishing, skiing, playing golf and watching rugby. He also enjoys foreign travel, good food, good wine and, of course, Tennent's Lager.

He was two grown up children, Heather and Craig.