Scottish independent brewer Innis & Gunn (I&G) has appointed Neil Innis Sharp general manager - USA.
He rejoins the company at a time when I&G is gearing up for a period of “accelerated growth” in the US.
Sharp is the brother of I&G’s founder and master brewer Dougal Gunn Sharp, and he was instrumental in the brand’s launch and early success in Canada, its largest export market.
He also went on to help develop the company’s business in Sweden where the brand now claims to be the top imported ale in the market.
Sharp returns to the company from Pernod Ricard, where he worked in various strategic consumer marketing roles within its European travel retail division on brands including Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Absolut Vodka and Beefeater Gin
He will work closely with I&G USA managing director Dan Deluca and newly appointed importer United States Beverages on an accelerated growth programme to further develop and strengthen I&G’s position in the market.
“Innis & Gunn is a truly entrepreneurial business and I am incredibly proud of the huge success my brother and the team have achieved to date.
“The company is renowned for its brewing quality and craftsmanship and is fast becoming a global success story. I am delighted to return to the business at a time when craft beer has never been more popular or exciting, to help strengthen our position in the US, a leading craft beer market,” he said.
Dougal Sharp said his brother had a wealth of experience in the drinks business and was integral to I&G’s early launch into the Canadian and Swedish markets.
The US was a “hugely competitive market” and the new general manager would be instrumental in driving the business strategy with the support of its newly appointed importer, United States Beverage.
I&G is available in more than 20 countries and is the second-biggest supplier of specialty beer to the UK off-trade, and the bestselling British bottled beer brand in Canada.
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