Rye River Brewing Company Limited has announced the appointment of a new chairman, Neil Everitt and David O’Flanagan as non-executive director.
As well as founding and developing a global premium drinks brand, Rye River’s new chairman, Everitt, is a leading international drinks industry executive and entrepreneur with a track record in senior management of listed diversified drinks and hospitality businesses.
His leadership roles have included four years as European President of Allied Domecq plc and a three-year term as Group CEO of London-listed Stock Spirts Group.
Everitt founded Brockmans Gin in 2008 and developed the brand to its position as one of the top three independently-owned super-premium gin brands now available in 55 countries.
He currently serves as a non-executive director of Jubel Beer and is a former director of Dashen SC, Ethiopia’s second largest brewer.
“Since its establishment in 2013, Rye River Brewing Company has built a reputation, not just as one of Ireland’s largest and most decorated independent craft breweries, but as a brewer of international repute, winning 30 awards at the World Beer Awards," said Everitt.
"Having enjoyed success in Ireland and through initial export sales, there is significant untapped domestic and international potential for beers of this quality and I look forward to supporting Rye River as it seeks out new opportunities to develop further in existing markets and bring the great brands to new territories,” he added.
Non-Executive Director
O’Flanagan also joins the board as a non-executive director.
A chartered accountant by training and profession, he was a Corporate Finance partner in Deloitte for 21 years, including ten years as head of its Corporate Finance Division until his retirement from the firm in 2017.
In his Corporate Finance leadership role in Deloitte, he was responsible for its M&A, debt advisory, valuations, transaction services, reorganisation services and forensic accounting practices.
He is currently chairman of Dunport Capital Management DAC, a leading provider of non-bank corporate and SME debt capital in Ireland, and an emerging player in the UK lower mid-market. He is also a member of its investment committee.
Welcoming the appointments, Tom Cronin, founder and managing director of Rye River Brewing Company, said, “The appointment of Neil Everitt, renowned international drinks industry executive and entrepreneur, as chairman, and former Deloitte partner, David O’Flanagan, to the board of the company, have further enhanced the company’s governance and strategic capability which will support the business as it continues to realise and build on its domestic and international ambitions."
Peter O’Donoghue, having served a five-year term as Chairman, will remain on the board as a non-executive director.
"The company is also grateful for the significant contribution that Peter O’Donoghue made in his role as chair during a five-year term and is delighted that he will remain on the board as a non-executive director,” Cronin added.
© 2021 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. For more drinks stories click here. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
