Luxembourg-based Amber Beverage Group (ABG) has appointed a Managing Director for its UK subsidiary and distributor for the Benelux region.
Enotria & Coe's Sam Thackeray has also been appointed managing director of Amber Beverage UK (ABUK), formerly Cellar Trends, and distribution company Indie Brands.
Al Baraka Banking Group acquired UK distributor Cellar Trends in June 2019 and rebranded it as ABUK. The company also acquired a controlling stake in British spirits distributor Indie Brands in early 2020.
ABG plans to acquire the remaining stake in Indie Brands later this year.
Thackeray has more than two decades of experience in the UK on and off trade, having worked as a sommelier and wine buyer in several London restaurants, before spending 15 years at UK drinks distributor Bibendum and then at wholesaler Matthew Clark.
He has spent the past four years as managing director of UK wine and spirits supplier Enotria & Coe.
Thackeray takes over this position from Douglas Cunningham, who has joined the Supervisory Board of Al Baraka Banking Group.
“It has been an honor to see both British companies grow and thrive, despite the challenges posed by Covid and the economy,” Cunningham said. I look forward to continuing to support Al Baraka Banking Group at the Board of Directors level and contributing to the continued growth and strategic development of the company.”
Thackeray will work with Cunningham until the end of February 2023 to ensure a smooth transition.
Gekaterina Stoye, CEO of Al Baraka Banking Group, said: “We warmly welcome Sam to the global team at Al Baraka Banking Group. We also thank Douglas for his significant contribution to the growth of our divisions in the UK.
“He and his UK colleagues have successfully introduced ABG’s core brands to the UK market, added new brands to the portfolio, and achieved successful business performance despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.”
Disaronu deal
Immediately, Disaronno International, part of the Italian company Illva Saronno, will distribute Al Baraka Banking Group's portfolio in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
Prior to the deal, Disaronno distributed ABG's Irish whiskey brands, Writer's Tears and The Irishman, in the region.
Nikolas Diamantopoulos, Al Baraka Banking Group’s Regional Commercial Director for Northern Europe, said: “We are strongly represented around the world and this new partnership strengthens our position in Northern Europe, following our establishment last year of Amber Beverage Germany.
“We are pleased with this arrangement over the next four years and look forward to the support from Disaronno International in distributing our wholly-owned core Tequila brands, Kah Tequila and Rooster Rojo Tequila, to a broader audience.”
