Marblehead, the Scots brand development company owned by Ricky Agnew, has agreed a joint venture with newly formed Quintessential Brands, the independent spirits company, set up by former Gruppo Campari CEO Enzo Visone and investment banker Warren Scott.
The news will see Marblehead distributing Quintessential’s brands in the UK. These include Greenall’s Original London Dry Gin, Bloom Gin, and Berkeley Square Gin, as well as, two new brands Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin and Toussaint Coffee Liqueur.
Ricky told DRAM, “This joint venture will only strengthen Marblehead. It’s very exciting. We will be doing what we have always done, develop brands, and this venture gives us the opportunity, and the ability, to attract other third party brands too.”
It’s perfect timing for Marblehead, as it parted company with Proximo Spirits the brand owners of Maestro Dobel tequila, Hangar One vodka and The Kraken black spiced rum on 1st July. This followed the decision earlier this year by Proximo, a US company, to set up its own UK office to look after its own brands and Jose Cuervo, the newest addition to its stable. Proximo UK is now headed by Dave Steward, Marblehead’s former business development director.
Says Ricky, “It’s actually turned out to be a good thing. I needed to do something, and I had a deadline, and something better, in the shape of Quintessential Brands came along. We were working against the clock to get the deal done by the 1st July, so it has been hard work.”
He also revealed to DRAM that he was relinquishing the controls of the company to Emma Wykes. Says Ricky, “After 37 years I am going to be taking a step back, and it will be Emma Wykes, who I have just appointed as Managing Director, who will be in charge. Obviously I will be there to help and mentor and it also gives me time to come up with fresh ideas.”
Mike Salmon, Quintessential Brands International Brands and Marketing Director said of the new venture, “This partnership means we are able to provide Marblehead with increased stability and some fantastic new brands. In return we are working with a highly respected prestige agency which has over 30 years’ experience and an established distribution network, giving particularly high penetration in the premium on trade, essential
for our super premium gin brands.”
