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Amber Beverage Group-owned distributor Cellar Trends has appointed Douglas Cunningham as CEO.
Cellar Trends has named Douglas Cunningham as its new CEO
Cunningham succeeds Simon Thomas who left the firm to pursue an opportunity outside the group.
Cunningham steps into the role of CEO while also maintaining his position of managing director at Indie Brands, which joined Amber Beverage Group in January 2020.
Jekaterina Stuģe, CEO of Amber Beverage Group, said: “We are confident that Douglas will be able to successfully run and develop both of our UK businesses, ensuring that both companies optimise their respective positions in the UK market, whilst continuing to build and develop strong third-party brand partnerships.
“We believe that with Douglas’s commercially focused approach and extensive industry experience, he is the right leader to take both of our UK companies through an exciting phase of development.”
Established in 1999, Cellar Trends works across all parts of the UK drinks industry, including the on- and off-trade, and boasts a portfolio of more than 60 international brands.
Amber Beverage Group entered numerous new markets in 2020, driving awareness of its leading brands: Moskovskaya Vodka, Kah Tequila, Riga Black Balsam, Rooster Rojo Tequila and Cross Keys Gin.
Cunningham added: “The rise and impressive growth of Cellar Trends was one of my key inspirations for setting up Indie Brands back in 2011.
Amber Beverage Group owns Cellar Trends
“They are a company I have admired and respected for over 20 years. I am therefore hugely honoured, privileged and excited to be taking over the leadership of Cellar Trends and the combined UK businesses.
“I would like to thank Simon Thomas for all that he achieved at Cellar Trends throughout a particularly challenging year due to the pandemic. Under his leadership, I know that the process of positive development at Cellar Trends is well under way and I very much look forward to taking over the reins driving the next wave of growth.
“Going forward, I look forward to nurturing and developing each company’s unique strengths in the marketplace.”
Amber Beverage Group acquired 100% of Cellar Trends in 2019 as part of its plans to become a ‘truly global’ spirits group.
Last month, international spirits company Amber Beverage Group revealed it had purchased €15.5 million (US$18.5m) worth of automated equipment for its new €33m (US$39.5m) ‘state-of-the-art’ warehouse.