Kingsland Drinks Group strengthens senior team with new commercial director

Kingsland Drinks Group has announced the appointment of Mark Riley as its new Commercial Director.

Riley joins from Bibendum, part of the C&C Group, where he served as Commercial Director. He will take up the role at Kingsland this week.

He brings 25 years of drinks industry experience across sales, commercial and supply chain, having held senior seats at Heineken/Waverley TBS and Scottish & Newcastle.

With well-seasoned experience in the marketing of brands – from innovation to launch at a global and UK level – Riley takes on responsibility for the complete commercial operation of Kingsland Drinks Group including sales, marketing, and liquid buying.

He joins the senior team at Kingsland, which moved to an employee-owned model in 2021 and has significantly invested in its capabilities and infrastructure to become a full-service drinks company.

Jon Eagle, Kingsland’s existing commercial director, and buying director and shareholder Karen Wilson, will lead thorough the transition in the coming months before Eagle retires and Wilson transitions to a Board advisory role.

“Mark brings true pedigree in the marketing of products and the leadership of high performing sales teams to the company, at a time when we’re focused on building our capabilities and realising the potential of our investment pipeline. With a legacy for developing talent, strong analytical expertise and experience across the industry, he’s a hugely welcome addition to the Group,” Ed Baker, Managing Director of Kingsland Drinks Group, said.

“Jon, while taking well-earned retirement this year, is lending the benefit of his expertise to us for some time yet, as he kindly supports senior transitions across the business. We appreciate Jon’s experience and input at this time, and he’ll be truly missed when he leaves the company.”

This month Kingsland Drinks Group also welcomed Andy Henderson who has joined the business as Operations Director, heading up factory operations, technical and supply chain functions. Henderson will play a pivotal role alongside Riley in building on the business’s reputation as a trusted, strong, and stable player in the UK drinks trade offering a full category service.

The pair are also joined by Jason Wallace, Head of Supply Chain, who joined Kingsland in July from John West Foods where he was Head of Supply Chain UK & IE and responsible for leading the end-to-end supply chain for its UK, Ireland and export networks.

In July, Kingsland Drinks announced a long-term partnership with Manchester Still and investment in a craft spirit facility on its site in Irlam, Greater Manchester. The facility will provide Kingsland Drinks and its sister company Ten Locks with the ability to produce artisan spirits and marks a new development in the firm’s capabilities as a full-service drinks company.