Halewood hires new UK managing director

Whitley Neill owner Halewood Artisanal Spirits has named Neil Jardine as its new managing director for the UK and Eire business.

Jardine joins the business from spirits producer and distributor Roust UK, where he led the innovation and sustainability programme in the UK, and focused on expanding its spirits portfolio to drive business growth.

Stewart Hainsworth, chief executive officer at Halewood Artisanal Spirits, commented: “With such a wealth of experience within the food and drink sector Neil is a great fit for Halewood. We’re pleased to welcome him to his new role of managing director and look forward to working closely together in the future”.

With previous roles at businesses from Italian liqueur Disaronno, where he was ‘instrumental’ in establishing its UK-based business, to pub chain Greene King, where he worked for 16 years, Jardine brings 25 years of experience to the role.

Jardine added: “Halewood is an innovative, fast-paced spirits company with an impressive portfolio of premium spirits from Whitley Neill Gin and Dead Man’s Fingers Rum, to its growing whisky range including Aber Falls and Crabbie’s.

“It’s a really exciting time to be joining the business, and I look forward to working closely with the team to drive the business forward.”

Former managing director John Bradbury will move into a non-executive director position at Halewood Artisanal Spirits.

The Dead Man’s Fingers owner recently received a complaint against the spiced rum brand regarding its association with dangerous behaviour. The complaint was not upheld.

The drinks group’s Samuel Gelston’s Irish Whiskey was also awarded Gold and Silver medals in The Spirits Business‘ Irish Whiskey Masters 2022.