Andrew Hatherall becomes the brewer's first head of international sales
Craft brewer BrewDog has appointed former Anheuser-Busch InBev regional director Andrew Hatherall as its new head of international sales.
Hatherall becomes the first person to hold the position, as the Scottish firm seeks to accelerate its rapid growth in new and existing markets around the world. BrewDog currently exports to 55 countries worldwide, and Hatherall will take responsibility for identifying and implementing distribution opportunities in new global territories.
His appointment marks “the next step in BrewDog developing its management team by creating and filling key new roles,” the firm said, having appointed David McDowall to the position of head of bars earlier in the year.
Unlike rival Scottish craft brewer Innis and Gunn, which exports 70% of its beer to overseas market, more than two thirds of BrewDog’s sales in 2014 came from within the UK. Hatherall, who brings with him experience in Asia, will be looking to replicate this success in markets further afield. In April, we reported that the company had launched a £25m crowdfunding effort, with a combined £6m earmarked for establishing a US operation, starting an import and distribution arm, and growing its global bar division.
Speaking after his appointment, Hatherall said: “I have been a big fan of BrewDog since I first tried Punk IPA four years ago. I am hugely impressed by the tenacity and ambition of BrewDog, and after meeting the team I am blown away by the passion and energy. The sky really is the limit for this punk brewery and I’m thrilled to be getting involved at such an integral time for the brewery’s growth.”
BrewDog co-founder James Watt added: “It is awesome to welcome someone of Andrew’s calibre into the BrewDog fold. He has a proven record for successfully strategising international growth, and will bring a wealth of experience to the table. His knowledge of international drinks markets knows no bounds and his appointment is a key step in scaling our mission to make people as passionate about craft beer as we are, wherever in the world they are.
“We’ve had eight years of phenomenal growth, but we are only just getting started. We have… plans to spread the craft beer revolution to every corner of the globe. This is a hugely exciting time for BrewDog and hiring key people like Andrew is just the beginning.”
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