Drinks industry celebrated in Queen’s Honours list

Drinks industry leaders are among the thousands of people who have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Kirsty Loveday, founder of Love Drinks, was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list

Kirsty Loveday, who founded Love Drinks in 2007, was awarded the British Empire Medal due to her “innovative, high impact work in services to the drinks industry”.

Loveday is now managing director of the firm, which reported annual turnover of around £6 million, and works to identify and select premium drinks brands at the “forefront of drinks trends”.

“It is hugely flattering and quite overwhelming to be recognised as making a significant contribution to the drinks industry,” said Loveday.

“My passion has always been to help build quality brands, support and recognise innovation and showcase the unique heritage behind each of our partner’s products.

“Through working with, and educating operators about the intrinsics of these great drinks, premium products are now de rigour amongst consumers who prefer quality over quantity.”

Also included in the prestigious list was Dennis Malcolm, Glen Grant master distiller, who was honoured with an OBE for his contribution to the Scotch whisky industry.

The two founders of BrewDog – which revealed its first spirits venture Lone Wolf Distillery in May – were also recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honour’s list for services to the brewing industry.

James Watt and Alan Martin Dickie co-founded the company in 20007 and experienced a 51% spike in revenue to £44.7m in 2015.