Amber Beverage Group (ABG) has acquired a majority stake in specialist premium spirits distribution company Indie Brands, which will continue to be independent and all the current management will remain in place. Simon Thomas fills the newly-created role of Managing Director, Amber Beverage Group UK.
ABG CEO Seymour Ferreira said, “The inclusion of Indie Brands to our portfolio in the UK would enable the Group to further drive their growing business interests in the UK. I am excited by the opportunities the exceptional team at Indie will offer our brands and our business in the UK”.
Douglas Cunningham, Indie Brands Managing Director commented, “All of us at Indie Brands are delighted to become part of the ABG. This acquisition represents a huge vote of confidence in the work of my Indie colleagues, who have worked tirelessly to build the company and its portfolio of incredible brands since inception eight years ago.
“Becoming part of the ABG family will provide Indie Brands with all the necessary support to ensure we maximise our position, and that of our partner brands, in the UK market. We are very excited about this new partnership, which will enable us to reach Indie Brand’s full potential and continue doing what we do best – celebrating premium spirit brands and maintaining our independent approach.”
Most recently, Simon Thomas has been consulting for a number of alcoholic beverage companies in the UK and has had more than 25 years of international commercial experience in senior executive roles with SABMiller, Pernod Ricard and Diageo.
Both UK distributors Cellar Trends and Indie Brands will report to Simon Thomas with immediate effect.