Samuel Ham joins Highclere Castle Gin
English brand Highclere Castle Gin has appointed Samuel Ham as its national sales director for the US market.
With more than 30 years of senior leadership experience in the wine and spirits industry, Ham is said to boast a proven track record of building brands, expanding distribution, and driving profitable growth.
He officially joined Highclere Castle Gin on 15 January.
Ham will be responsible for leading the brand’s US sales strategy, developing distributor partnerships, and ensuring national execution as it embarks on its next phase of growth.
Adam von Gootkin, founder of Highclere Castle Spirits, said: “To lead Highclere Castle Gin’s growth, we are assembling a senior management team that specialises in driving brands to the top.
“As many of our leading competitors are facing uncertainty, I think it’s clear that some of the most talented in our industry are seeking to join companies that are clear in their goals, nimble, and remember what it takes to build a brand authentically.”
Ham held executive positions at several companies, including Spirit Investment Partners, Mahalo Spirits, Infinium Spirits, Incubrands Spirits Group, Cruzan, William Grant & Sons, and Bacardi-Martini USA.
In his previous roles, Ham is said to have played a significant part in the national growth of various brands such as Hendrick’s Gin, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Heaven’s Door Whiskey, Crystal Head Vodka, Papa’s Pilar Rum, Templeton Rye, and Sailor Jerry.
Last November, Laurent Schun, the former CEO of Angostura Holdings, joined Highclere Castle Spirits as CEO.
Under Schun’s leadership, Highclere Castle Gin is pursuing a disciplined growth strategy in the US and internationally, enhancing its commercial infrastructure and aligning sales, marketing, and operations to support sustainable long-term growth.
Schun welcomed Ham to the team: “Sam is a builder of brands, teams, and sustainable growth. His experience launching and scaling premium spirits brands across the US aligns perfectly with our strategy to focus on priority markets, increase sales velocity, and build a best-in-class national sales organisation.”
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