Award-winning international spirits company, Quintessential Brands, has appointed James Lousada as Managing Director of its international commercial products arm, Quintessential Brands Spirit Solutions.
The appointment of Lousada, who has over 20 years’ experience in the industry running UK and European drinks companies, is indicative of the company’s ambitions for Quintessential Brands Spirit Solutions.
Quintessential Brands has enjoyed strong success with its commercial products in the UK in recent years, winning and retaining private label and own label contracts with some of the UK’s leading multiple grocers. Quintessential Brands Spirit Solutions also provides production and bottling services to a wide range of trade customers through the company’s world-class production sites in the UK, Ireland and France.
Lousada, whose experience includes three years as CEO of Carlsberg UK and over three years as General Manager of Accolade Wines EMEA, is now aiming to replicate the company’s UK success in key international markets, whilst working with the Quintessential Brands UK commercial team to build on the success already achieved in the company’s lead market.
Warren Scott, CEO and Co-Founder of Quintessential Brands, comments: “James’ appointment is indicative of our aspirations for Quintessential Brands Spirit Solutions. It is also indicative of how we are building the truly global success we have always envisaged; a spirits company recognised across the world for both our portfolio of world-class premium brands and for the breath and quality of our commercial offering. Quintessential Brands has significant international opportunity across both our premium brands and our commercial products, and with the experience, passion and strategic focus James brings, I’m looking forward to 2019 being another transformational year for our business.”
Lousada’s appointment follows news of Quintessential Brands’ further investment in G&J Distillers in Warrington, renowned for being the world’s oldest continuous gin distillers, having produced gin since 1761. A new high-speed miniatures line was recently installed, enabling the company to bottle a variety of spirits, including gin, vodka, rum and whisky, in the increasingly popular 5cl format.
Quintessential Brands’ portfolio of premium brands – which include Thomas Dakin Gin, BLOOM Gin, Opihr Spiced Gin and flagship brand, Greenall’s, as well as an award-winning range of Irish whiskies and Irish Creams – is also performing well in the UK, helping Quintessential Brands to retain its position as the second largest spirits distributor to the UK Off Trade, growing ahead of the total spirits market.
Established in 2011, Quintessential Brands is recognised for its continuous innovation of crafted spirits across all categories, resulting in the company receiving many accolades over the years, including Gin Distiller of the Year in the International Spirits Challenge for three of the last four years, including in 2018.
Comments are closed.