The Next Round: What happens after you change your drinking?
The Next Round: What happens after you change your drinking?
A pioneer in the non-alcoholic space, Claire co-founded Æcorn in 2018 alongside Ben Branson, leading to its acquisition by Diageo in 2020. Now Head of Luxury Advocacy at Diageo, Claire is a speaker, mentor, and industry advocate, serving on the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation board and chairing the IWSC Alternative Drinks Awards.
Aaron is a specialist intellectual property solicitor and partner in J A Kemp’s Trade Marks & Designs Group. He has a very international outlook being qualified to practice law in the UK, Ireland, Canada and Australia. His practice involves all things related to trade marks and brand protection, as well as dealing with domain name and other internet-related issues, and both domestic and international IP disputes. Aaron has spearheaded worldwide trade mark clearance projects for both brand owners and creative agencies, helping with risk-management and positioning brands for growth from early stages, managing legal budgets big and small. He will be available for one-to-one discussions on IP strategy.
Christof Tremp is the co-founder and CEO of Rebels 0.0%, a startup crafting alcohol-free spirits. With an MA in Business Administration from HSG and experience at Kraft Foods, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, and Lindt & Sprüngli. Through their “Cheers Revolution”, Rebels 0.0% is challenging social drinking norms by offering sophisticated alternatives to gin, rum, whiskey, and aperitifs. Rebels 0.0% taps into the growing trend of reduced alcohol consumption, especially among younger generations, while positioning itself as a choice rather than an anti-alcohol stance.
Their spirits, produced in Switzerland using double distillation and organic botanicals, closely mimic traditional flavors. Committed to sustainability and ethical standards, Rebels 0.0% maintains a complex production process, resulting in a premium product.
Frederik is the founder of Lowlander, the pioneering brewery crafting no & low-alcohol beers infused with botanicals. With a passion for flavor and innovation, he has redefined beer by blending brewing traditions with natural ingredients. Frederik leads Lowlander in shaping the future of mindful drinking with bold, botanical brews.
Paul Mathew is the founder of Everleaf Drinks, a leading brand in the non-alcoholic aperitif space. A conservation biologist turned bartender, he combines deep botanical knowledge with hospitality expertise to craft complex, nature-inspired drinks. Passionate about sustainability, Paul pioneers flavourful, alcohol-free options that rival traditional spirits in depth and experience.
In the fall of 2017, Morten Sørensen, a Danish digital nomad, decided to embark on a journey, a 100-day alcohol-free journey. A few years later that journey had evolved into the mindful drinking company ISH, based in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Morten likes to challenge the norm and has done so continuously in his professional career that has evolved mostly around building multinational brands, before the path led him to building his own brand, ISH. Now exporting to over a 20 countries, ISH is on the mission to make mindful drinking easy – something Morten was missing as a mindful drinker.
Frederike de Groot is the founder of World of NIX, a trailblazing brand dedicated to exceptional no- and low-alcohol beverages. With a passion for innovation and inclusivity, she champions mindful drinking by crafting flavourful, sophisticated alternatives. Frederike is a key advocate for the evolving alcohol-free movement, shaping its future globally.
Silvia received a degree in Agricultural engineering from the University of Zaragoza, Spain and a second degree from La Rioja University in Winemaking. She then traveled around the world learning various methods of international winemaking, including four years as Production Manager in a wine cooperative in D.O. Calatayud, working in Germany in the Mosel area, and working at About Wine and Style Consult in Neustadt Weinstrasse. Silvia has been apart of the BevZero team since 2015.
Millie Gooch is the founder of the Sober Girl Society and one of the voices leading the UK’s sobriety movement. Her first book, The Sober Girl Society Handbook was described as “an empowering survival guide” by the Evening Standard and led to her appointment as a proud ambassador for Alcohol Change UK. Millie’s authority documenting her sobriety journey has led to partnerships with a multitude of global brands including Tinder, Anthropologie, Microsoft Windows and Boots. She’s also delivered employee workshops for the likes of ASOS, Charlotte Tilbury and the Ministry of Justice.
Karen is Drinkaware’s Chief Executive Officer and joined the organisation in October 2022.
Karen brings over 20 years of experience across health and social care, most recently in the national alcohol and drug treatment charity Humankind where she was Executive Director of Strategy, Culture and External Affairs.
Prior to Humankind Karen worked at Addaction (now called With You), a charity that gives free confidential support to people with drugs, alcohol and mental health issues.
Karen is also Vice Chair of Trustees at the Avalon Group, a social care charity.
Karen is a collaborative leader, with expertise in strategy and communications. She has spent time working in business development and started her career as a volunteer.
Brendan Williams is the CEO & co-founder of Paradoxx Drinks Ltd. which makes NuWave, a mood enhancing, alcohol-free beer.
He has more than 20 years of experience in the drinks industry gained with Carlsberg, Asahi, SABMiller, Coca-Cola and Fosters Group.
Within the last 10 years Brendan has held senior global (Carlsberg), regional (SABMiller) and national (Asahi) marketing leadership positions.
Brendan most recently led The Free Consultancy, an alcohol-free marketing consultancy. He was the Managing Director of Sentia mood-enhancing AF spirits, a TFC client in 2022/23. Brendan’s last corporate role was as the Global Marketing Director of Alcohol Free for Carlsberg where he developed the highly successful global alcohol-free strategy & coordinated the winning execution in 40+ markets around the world.
Chris has been a writer, journalist, author and magazine editor in the world of drinks for over 25 years. Two years ago, he teamed up with AF expert Chrissie Parkinson to set up the World Alcohol-Free Awards – the only competition dedicated to drinks at 0.5% abv or below.
Zara Cassidy is a prominent figure in the wine industry, known for her expertise and leadership at Majestic Wines. With a deep passion for wine and a keen understanding of consumer trends, Zara has played a crucial role in driving the success of one of the UK’s leading wine retailers. Zara is judge for IWSC.
An experienced social researcher with a record of applying behavioural science to policy problems, and running and designing robust randomised controlled trials.
Annabelle joined Drinkaware in 2020 and leads our research team.
She is an experienced social researcher with a track record of applying behavioural science to policy problems; and of running and designing robust randomised controlled trials.
She joins Drinkaware from Ofgem, where she led ground breaking trials to uncover what works in increasing engagement in the domestic energy market, and was part of a team awarded the 2019 Behavioural Exchange Award for Outstanding Research.
Before then, she worked in the Department of Health’s Behavioural Insight Team, focussing on robust evaluations of innovative ways to improve health outcomes, including increasing attendance at NHS Health Checks, which won the UK Government’s annual Social Research Award in 2014.
Zoe Burgess is a tastemaker and founder of one of London’s leading flavour consultancies, Atelier Pip. Her acclaimed cocktail book ‘The Cocktail Cabinet: The art, science and pleasure of mixing the perfect drink’, was published by Octopus books in 2022 (see here), and was nominated for best new cocktail book at Tales of The Cocktail 2023 awards.
She is also lead beverage consultant at London’s iconic The Standard Hotel, overseeing their cocktail offering across the site’s five venues. Including the 10th floor cocktail bar, Sweeties, famed for its incredible Atelier Pip-designed menu, which launched to critical acclaim in January 2023.
An expert at crafting flavours that can connect with people, and communicate the essence of a brand, Zoe has worked internationally across the world of food and drink, partnering with Michelin starred chefs, hospitality groups such as Artfarm and even some of the world’s most respected sensory scientists, such as Oxford University’s Charles Spence.
‘My work isn’t about just designing a drink, or a menu, it’s about weaving together a mix of ingredients, which will evolve to mean so much more than their stylish name or thoughtful glassware. These flavours begin to tell the stories of the brands they represent – celebrating the people, places and cultural moments that are meaningful to them.’
Christof Tremp is the co-founder and CEO of Rebels 0.0%, a startup crafting alcohol-free spirits. With an MA in Business Administration from HSG and experience at Kraft Foods, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, and Lindt & Sprüngli. Through their “Cheers Revolution”, Rebels 0.0% is challenging social drinking norms by offering sophisticated alternatives to gin, rum, whiskey, and aperitifs. Rebels 0.0% taps into the growing trend of reduced alcohol consumption, especially among younger generations, while positioning itself as a choice rather than an anti-alcohol stance.
Their spirits, produced in Switzerland using double distillation and organic botanicals, closely mimic traditional flavors. Committed to sustainability and ethical standards, Rebels 0.0% maintains a complex production process, resulting in a premium product.
Blake has worked in research & insights for 20 years. He started his career at Kantar before joining Lumina Intelligence in 2009. Blake has worked across all areas of research and insights and has led the development of new products, content and marketing. He joined KAM, as a partner, in 2018 to drive forward their expertise in delivering market-leading research and insight-led products.
Nick is Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Boisson, a consumer ecommerce and import/wholesale distribution platform for emerging non-alcoholic and functional beverages.
Matt joined the Portman Group as CEO in January 2021. Responsible for providing strategic leadership and developing the organisation’s membership, Matt uses his extensive experience in national and international management and corporate affairs to champion the Portman Group, and to build on its reputation as a strong and independent regulator and a powerful and persuasive voice for alcohol social responsibility.
Prior to joining the Portman Group, Matt held senior roles in corporate affairs, including with Microsoft and Betfair, and is a former CEO of the Federation for Industry Sector, Skills and Standards.
With a hospitality career spanning 30 years, Martin started in the Royal Household in the food department and then joined Prue Leith of “Bake Off” fame for nine years, where he was promoted to Operations Director. In 1999, Martin opened his restaurant Dibbens in Smithfield Market, with Zagat describing it as one of the best restaurants in the City and has since held the position of Operations Director at key venues across the capital, looking after some of London’s most iconic venues, including the Barbican, The Serpentine Gallery and the Historic Royal Palaces.
Having graduated from L’Academie du Champagne in 2000, Dibben became its chairman in 2016. More recently, he was appointed Consul of the South of England for the Ordre des Coteaux de Champagne – the official guild representing the Champagne region.
Founder of the mindful drinking brand and creative consultancy La Maison Wellness, Camille has spent her career as a consultant and global brand ambassador most notably for St- Germain and the Bacardi family of brands.
Kate is Nudge’s founder and Managing Director. She has worked in PR for 28 years and is an expert in food and drink PR. She drives the business forward and instills a vibrant company culture.
Daniel I’Anson is the Commercial Director of Everleaf, a range of non-alcoholic aperitifs inspired by, and produced with flavours from the natural world. Everleaf makes non-alcoholic drinks taste great, and sell better! He has worked in the drinks industry for over twenty-five years in a range of sales, marketing and brand building roles.
His experience covers both large multi-national companies such as LVMH and Pernod Ricard as well as start-up businesses. He is passionate about brand experience, liquid excellence and the stories which sit behind every drink and bottle.
Following a 24-year career in hospitality, Denise Hamilton-Mace is now the founder and editor of Low No Drinker Magazine, the no.1 UK magazine for mindful & sober curious drinkers, and the host of the Low No Drinker Podcast, a weekly conversation with low/no-&-light brand founders and industry experts.
Denise is also a public speaker and writer passionately championing the rise and rise of the low/no-&-light alcohol industry.
Previously the multi-award-winning Group Head of Wine for Hakkasan, Chrissie is one half of the No/Low consultancy Brimful Drinks, and in 2022 co-founded the World Alcohol-Free Awards. Pioneering work with No & Low drinks since 2016 and known as a committed educator and thoughtful communicator. Awards include Imbibe Industry Legend, IWSC Lifetime Achievement, WSET Educator of the Year.
Worked in the drinks industry for over 14 years, with a background working in wine, then for wineries in Australia. Followed by work with the UK leading RTMs across wine and spirits and helping launch Enotria’s non-alc portfolio in 2018. More recently, I was commercial manager at the IWSC leading the sales team & working as a consultant for drinks brands internationally.
In 2023, I co-founded Kore Drinks a specialist agency/distributor for low & no drinks brands as well as disruptive drinks without boundaries. We work with venues, distributors, brands and partners across the UK market with ambitions to expand globally and disrupt a traditional market.
Luke Boase is the founder of Lucky Saint, a pioneering non-alcoholic beer brand that has quickly gained recognition for its commitment to quality and taste. Driven by a passion for creating a beer that could deliver the full-flavor experience without the alcohol, Luke launched Lucky Saint in 2018 after years of research and development.
Louise Fitzpatrick is Strategic Growth Manager for HEINEKEN Globally, with a focus on growth opportunities in LoNo and Beyond Beer. She has worked for HEINEKEN for over 12 years, across various roles and functions, in both Dublin and Amsterdam. In previous roles, she was responsible for fuelling consumer centricity by adopting future proof tools and capabilities. She also led the roll out of the organisation’s Global Demand Space framework, and was a key instigator of the company’s expansion into Low and No Alcohol beverages. Prior to HEINEKEN, Louise held a number of roles in innovation and media agencies, as well as a stint as Insights Manager for Tourism Ireland. Louise is passionate about the Low and No alochol beer and how the category is meeting the evolving needs of consumers.
WSTA Kelly deals with compliance and food regulatory matters. She leads on low and no which includes acting as secretariat to the WSTA’s Low and No Working Group, a group formed to support WSTA members in producing, labelling and promoting LoNo alcohol products in the UK.
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