Michael began a business career in Asia, setting up and operating several companies in the F&B field. He maintains directorships of several food and entertainment outlets in China, notably the Sasha’s and Zapata’s groups.
In a shift of direction, Michael set up Cottingham & Co. in 1992, and began importing alcoholic beverages into Taiwan. He grew Cottingham into a leading service provider for international premium beverage brands in Taiwan handling sales, distribution, marketing and brand development. Carlsberg became a partner in Cottingham in 2008, and the company was renamed Carlsberg-Cottingham. Carlsberg have now bought the company, renaming it Carlsberg (Taiwan).
Michael set up Cottingham (Shanghai) in 2010, and the company imports international brands into the vibrant China market, under the leadership of my son, Andrew. The focus is currently on Single Malt Scotch, and they also import Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
In Taiwan, the focus on importing and marketing international beverage brands continues with Cottingham Ltd. Cottingham handles Tomatin Single Malt Scotch, Antiquary, Lismore and Big T. Cottingham also handles the Douglas Laing range of Single Malt Scotches. We are also sole agents for the Brown-Forman range (Jack Daniels, Woodford Reserve, Early Times, Gentleman Jack, Herradura, El Jimador, Finlandia, Chambord, and Sothern Comfort).
The Cottingham Group now represents and provides services to international alcohol beverage brands throughout Greater China, including China itself, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
In October 2012 Michael was honoured to be inducted into the “Keepers of the Quaich” for services to Scotch Whisky.
