Russian boss at Scottish insulation firm Superglass quits over invasion of Ukraine

A Russian executive at a Scottish glass wool insulation manufacturer has resigned following the invasion of Ukraine.

Maxim Goryachev’s depature was “deemed appropriate in the current circumstances”, a spokesperson for Stirling-based Superglass said.

Mr Goryachev was on the business’ board and remains chief executive of its parent company TN International.

Having been a director of Superglass Holdings since April 2017, records from Companies House show he resigned on March 18.

It follows Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, sparking an ongoing war in Eastern Europe.

A Superglass spokesperson said: “While Superglass was not obliged to do so – to be clear no people nor products are subject to sanctions of any kind – it was deemed appropriate in the current circumstances to return to having an entirely UK-based board of directors.”

Lindores Abbey Distillery, Newburgh, Fife. Google Maps

Earlier this month, the founders of a whisky distillery announced two of its directors, who are Russian nationals, were resigning.

Andrew and Helen McKenzie Smith started Lindores Abbey Distillery in Newburgh, Fife, after Mr McKenzie’s granfather purchased an historic whisky-producing farm in 1913.

In a statement on social media, the couple said: “We have never hidden the fact that we have Russian investors and indeed these investors were introduced to us by Business Gateway, a Scottish government agency.

“They are certainly not oligarchs and certainly not on any sanctions list. They are first and foremost whisky lovers.

“We at Lindores, however, utterly deplore and condemn the current situation in Ukraine.

“We have been in frequent discussions with our Russian shareholders and today they are resigning as non-executive directors of the company.”

The McKenzie’s said they were in negotiations with Russian investors Anton Buslov and Sergei Fokin to acquire their shareholding and move the company to 100% Scottish ownership and control.