Meet The Commercial Team

My craft drink journey started as an award-winning independent retailer in the Cotswolds, winning both the Taste of Gloucestershire Award for Best Independent Café in 2011 and the Cotswold Life Food & Drink Award for Best Independent Retailer in 2012, where our focus was on sourcing the very best local food and drink.

I started The Craft Drink Co in 2014, having noted a distinct lack of distribution support for local drink producers, and in our first year we helped 12 drink brands find quite a few new trade customers. Our business has grown since then and we now work closely with around 150 drink producers from Central England, helping them to reach both retail stockists and hospitality businesses. We supply around 800 independent outlets across our region with a professional and highly service-led drinks wholesale offering, helping these trade business source amazing drinks, and subsequently purchase ongoing through our weekly delivery pattern.

We see enormous potential for local or regional drink brands that have a superb liquid and unique story to tell, and a great business opportunity for those stockists that see the light and stock local, craft drinks.

Away from work (albeit rarely!) I spend time with my family, play tennis and endeavour to keep the pounds off whilst continuing to search for more great drinks. Someone has to do it! I have many favourites and occasionally return to Gloucester Gold or Cotswolds Dry Gin, but more likely I’ll be trying something new every day.

Richard Chamberlain - Founder & MD

Henry Leonard Purchasing & Producer Liaison Manager

I joined in June 2016 assisting in the warehouse and driving team. I now handle our purchasing and liaise regularly with all the wonderful drinks producers we work with. I enjoy playing cricket and golf, also following national hunt horse racing, all of which allow me to enjoy the great drinks on offer across our region! It is very hard to select a favourite from our portfolio, but Pearson’s Medium Dry Cider, Wood Bros Single Estate Gin and Yubberton Brew Co Goldie are up there!

Sarah Ellis Customer Service Executive

I have been working with The Craft Drink Co. almost since the beginning, joining in 2015 from Daylesford Organic Farmshop and before that, working for Richard at the Cotswold Food Store. I am passionate about all things Food & Drink and enjoy cooking for friends and family. I am currently studying for my WSET Wine & Spirits Diploma. My ‘go to’ drink is a G&T made with 6 O’Clock Gin and Mediterranean Tonic.

Rebecca Crane Customer Service Executive

I joined in October 2018 in a sales and customer services role. If I had time out of work that didn’t involve the kids and the house the list would be endless! As it is, I enjoy walks with the family (and now the dog) baking cakes (especially for work colleagues 😊) and having my annual holiday in Italy. I love travelling to Cornwall especially St Ives! I love the Salcombe limited Island Queen Voyager and Warner’s Raspberry gin.

Rebecca Starnes Marketing & Communications Executive

I joined The Craft Drink Co. in April 2019 as Marketing and Communications Executive taking on an exciting and challenging role in both print and digital marketing. Outside of work I like to write, paint, play sport, race cars and explore the plethora of local food and drink across our region. My favourite drinks from the catalogue would be Warner’s Raspberry Gin, Burning Barn Honey & Rum and Cotswolds’ Distillery Cream Liqueur

Ellis Hill Business Development

I have recently joined the business and I am really excited to immerse myself in the drinks industry and learn all about the fantastic producers we represent and also building relationships with our customers. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, eating, drinking and attending local events. My favourite drink (at the moment) from our portfolio is Cotswold Dry Gin with Fever Tree tonic served with lots of ice.

Meet The Operations & Logistics Team

Richard Goodman Warehouse Manager

I joined The Craft Drink Co. at the beginning of September 2017 as a warehouse/relief driver, immediately feeling at home in the small but friendly team. Once we moved to the larger premises in Bourton on the Water in October 2018, I acquired the honorary title of Warehouse Manager. Away from work I play golf and have an interest in horse racing being a member of the Elite Racing Club. I like a glass of wine at the end of the day but also enjoy a beer – Butcombe Original is one of many we have!

Grant Morris Operations Manager

I started the Craft Drink Co. in September 2018 as Operations Manager to help Richard Goodman with the logistics and supervision of all warehouse activities. Prior to this, I have spent 40 years in the drinks trade in various positions. It has been interesting and exciting to see the rapid growth from our old site at Draycott to the new larger depot in Bourton-on-the-water. In my spare time I enjoy playing badminton, walking and gardening. My favourite drink from the catalogue is Cotswold Single Malt.

Luke Udell Warehouse Assistant

I joined the team in July 2019 as a Warehouse Operative and relief Delivery Driver. During my spare time I love to play football and golf and enjoy spending as much time as possible with my 3-year-old daughter. My favourite tipple is the Cotswold Lager.

Shaun Bleakley Driver and Warehouse Assistant

I am a driver and warehouse assistant who joined The Craft Drink Co. in June 2017. My primary role is delivering our range of drinks to our various customers and collecting from producers, and my secondary role is helping in the warehouse with loading/unloading and picking. My main interests outside of work are national hunt horseracing and socialising! My favourite drinks from our catalogue are Purity UBU and Cotswold Best beers, Cotswold Cream Liqueur and Burning Barn Honey & Rum.

Matt Brice Delivery Driver

I joined The Craft Drink Co. in November 2015 as a delivery driver. During my free time I enjoy watching and playing both football and cricket and love socialising with friends over a beer or two. My favourite drink from our range would be Prescott Hill Climb and Hook Norton Cotswold Pale.

Marcin Skotniczny Driver and Warehouse Assistant

I joined The Craft Drink Co. team in July 2017 as a van driver and warehouse assistant. I like getting to know lots of our customers and brands when out in my van each day. When I am not at work, I like playing pool and watching football, whilst drinking beer with my friends. I like lots of the drinks we sell but my favourites are Wiper and True IPA and Pale Ale, Cotswold Brew Co Premium and 3.8 lagers and the Burning Barn rums.

Mike Herd Driver & Warehouse Assistant

I joined The Craft Drink Co. at the beginning of June 2019 as a Driver/Warehouse Assistant bringing a passion for delivering excellent customer service levels. I live in Tewkesbury with my fiancé Clare, energetic dog Lola and, occasionally, with my 20 and 24-year-old son’s, who are prone to turn up for a few days…particularly when hungry! Clare and I are currently organising our wedding, which takes place in November this year. I am a keen walker and enjoy travelling and watching most sports. My favourite tipple at the end of the day is a good Gin & Tonic and although I have not yet had the chance to taste too many drinks since joining, I particularly like the 6 O'clock Gin.

Meet The Commercial Team

Richard Chamberlain - Founder & MD

Meet The Operations & Logistics Team

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