Experience

YVY Destilaria

• Brazil
• Beverage Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Co-Founder

  • Jan 2018 - Present

  Brazil



THE BOATYARD DISTILLERY LTD

• United Kingdom
• Beverage Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Advisor

  • Jan 2016 - Present

  Enniskillen, Northern Ireland Supporting the Company founder, Joe McGirr, to establish a creative direction for its core brands, messaging and brand strategy whilst providing quality control over these concepts and projects. As the team in Ireland grows this will see a shift to leading creative sessions for projects, developing new concepts and advancing the overall brand strategy.



The London Distillery Company Ltd

• United Kingdom
• Beverage Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder

  • Jul 2011 - Dec 2017

  London, United Kingdom

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Apr 2012 - Oct 2017

  London, United Kingdom In 2011-2012 Darren completed funding over multiple platforms including tradition angel network funding and crowd sourcing at www.crowdcube.com. TLDC is London's first licensed whisky distillery since 1903. Product developed began in late 2012 for multi-award winning Dodd's Gin, which was launched in partnership with Fortnum and Mason in April 2013. Darren successfully worked with industry professionals and HMRC to not only open London's first whisky distillery in over… Show more In 2011-2012 Darren completed funding over multiple platforms including tradition angel network funding and crowd sourcing at www.crowdcube.com. TLDC is London's first licensed whisky distillery since 1903. Product developed began in late 2012 for multi-award winning Dodd's Gin, which was launched in partnership with Fortnum and Mason in April 2013. Darren successfully worked with industry professionals and HMRC to not only open London's first whisky distillery in over century but also to create the first urban boutique distillery in the UK licensed for both distillation as well as rectifying & compounding. A ground breaking project for the UK drinks industry.



Gotham East

• China
• Wine & Spirits
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Co-Founder & Director

  • Jun 2013 - Nov 2017

  Shanghai City, China Shanghai is Gotham East, the leading edge of the largest spirits market in the world. Gotham East shares the sophisticated, convivial drinking culture of the cocktail renaissance with China. Gotham East (GE) offers selected brands an integrated importation & distribution solution. Focused on premium artisanal spirits who are seeking access to the complex Chinese drinks market with reassurance and increased trust. As a GE Co-Founder and artisanal spirits manufacturer, Darren… Show more Shanghai is Gotham East, the leading edge of the largest spirits market in the world. Gotham East shares the sophisticated, convivial drinking culture of the cocktail renaissance with China. Gotham East (GE) offers selected brands an integrated importation & distribution solution. Focused on premium artisanal spirits who are seeking access to the complex Chinese drinks market with reassurance and increased trust. As a GE Co-Founder and artisanal spirits manufacturer, Darren, recognises the unique challenges faced by smaller brands. As such, Darren is a point of contact for partners based in Europe as GE maintains a focused spirits portfolio catering to luxury and bartender’s choice customer bases. The GE team operate in both Shanghai & Beijing with a profitable sales track record in the Chinese drinks industry and strong existing customer base. GE delivers both the foreign beverage industry and China market experience to partners of choice. Acting as a champion for those brands with delivery of superior levels of education and brand support. Show less



Master of Malt

• United Kingdom
• Beverage Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Strategic Project Manager

  • Mar 2010 - Jul 2011

  Working within the Master of Malt team on business development and marketing. A creative role spanning from day to day management of the on & off trade accounts team, standard business development (budgeting, sales, etc...), ambassadorial duties (conducting tastings, helping find/choose new whiskies for the Master of Malt range) and new brand design and development.



The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

• United Kingdom
• Beverage Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• London Members Room Manager

  • Mar 2008 - Apr 2010

  Delivering customer service standards, product training and budget/sale development...