The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

Kliro Capital Partners and ICB have announced the launch of Fortitude Spirits Group, aiming to create a leading independent UK spirits company.

The new group will be led by industry experts and will benefit from significant production investment. It will cooperate with industry partners to create value across production, brand building and distribution.

Fortitude Spirits Group includes three divisions: Fortitude Spirits, aiming to create and scale distinctive brands; Fortitude Drinks UK, which will distribute Fortitude Spirits and third-party brands across UK channels; and ICB Distillers, expanding production capacity to distil, blend and bottle the group’s brands alongside private label and third-party products.

From its production facility in Middlesborough, UK, the company will have the capacity to deliver six million cases per year with more than 400 SKUs produced each year. It will have a UK-wide distribution network and will offer premium brands for international markets including Rozel Rosé Vodka, Café Solo Coffee Liqueur and Hawksbill Spiced Rum.

Warren Scott, chairman of Kliro Capital Partners, will serve as chairman for Fortitude Spirits Group. Previously, he has been founder and CEO of Quintessential Brands Group and an investment banker with JP Morgan, KPMG and Jefferies.

Nick England will take on the role of Fortitude Drinks UK managing director. He has held senior sales positions at Carlsberg UK and Mars, as well as wine and spirit experience at Treasury Wine Estate and William Grant & Sons.

Fortitude Spirits’ brand director will be Paul Cornell, who has led international premium brands at Molson Coors, Asahi and Diageo. Kliro Capital Partners will also shortly announce a new CEO for Fortitude Spirits Group.

Chairman Scott commented: “Fortitude Spirits Group will offer a unique service to customers, brand owners and consumers. The group will strive to discover new sources of category growth across every price point, break new boundaries in spirit creation and be a pioneering partner to guide customers and brand owners towards the shared spirit of success.”

#KliroCapitalPartners #ICB #UK #spirits