James Coyle joins the Board at Innis & Gunn

Innis & Gunn has appointed James Coyle as a non-executive director.

The independent Scottish brewer, best known for its innovative and distinctive oak-aged beers, has been a frontrunner in the burgeoning British craft scene for over a decade and the relationship with James Coyle dates back to the very beginning in 2003 when he helped first to bring its flagship brew, Innis & Gunn Original, to market in the UK.

Tony Hunt, chairman of Innis & Gunn, explains: “James has been an Innis & Gunn fan since we first produced the beer and as his career has moved forward he has always maintained a strong professional interest in its progress. We were keen for James to join our board because he is passionate about beer, has a great understanding of the beer trade and is someone who has real entrepreneurial flair. Although we are still a relatively small company we have big plans for the coming years, and someone with James’ experience will be able to contribute to our mission of changing the world of beer for the better”.

James has worked in the beer industry for 20 years, first joining Marston’s to set up a new Take Home and Export division in 1995. Following almost a decade at Wychwood Brewery (latterly Refresh) where he played a key role in the UK launch of Innis & Gunn-James returned to Marston’s in 2008 as national sales director and has since become the deputy MD of Marston’s Beer Company (Marston’s is one of Britain’s leading brewer and pub operators with a turnover of c£790m).

Commenting on his appointment, James Coyle says: “Innis & Gunn is an entrepreneurial, local craft brewer that has had great success in taking its outstanding craft beer to an international audience. I have known Dougal Sharp, the CEO and founder of Innis & Gunn for many years and I admire the way that he has been so single-mindedly committed to making innovative great tasting beer, no gimmicks, no stunts, just great flavour. My aim is to help the company take that approach even further because I believe the British consumer is actively seeking out new beer experiences and Innis & Gunn can help meet that demand by strengthening the appeal and availability of their existing brands, while maintaining a steady stream of innovative new brews”.

James Coyle is the second non-executive director to join the Innis & Gunn Board.  Other members of the Board are: Tony Hunt (chairman), Dougal Sharp (founder and CEO), David Cockburn (CFO) and George Tait (secretary).

16 February 2015 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor