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Distillers' Charity appoints new MD to fundraising arm

The Distillers' Charity - the philanthropic arm of the Worshipful Company of Distillers - has appointed a new managing director to its fundraising arm, Distillers' Ventures Limited.

Beanie Geraedts-Espey is taking on the leading role at the subsidiary, whose primary responsibility is the organisation and delivery of the Distillers' Charity's biennial Distillers One of One Auctions of unique Scotch whiskies and experiences.

The inaugural auction was held near Edinburgh in December 2021, supported by leading brands from across the Scotch whisky industry, and raised £2.4 milion for charitable causes. Of this, more than £2.2 million went to the newly created Youth Action Fund, which was established by the Distillers' Charity and works with four charities that support young people in Scotland. The second Distillers One of One Auction will take place in summer 2023.

Geraedts-Espey has more than 18 years' experience in senior marketing and leadership roles in the FMCG and beverage alcohol industries, including five years as joint managing director of rare spirits company The Last Drop Distillers.

Grant Gordon, the Distillers' Charity chairman, said: "Beanie is well known for being an effective and strong business leader with extensive experience that is relevant for our ambition for the Distillers One of One, in the world of ultra-rare spirits and its collectors and buyers.

"We look forward to working with Beanie and our auction partners, Sotheby's, to build on the successful platform that we have established creating an enduring legacy for the Scotch whisky industry and Scotland's young people."

Beanie Geraedts-Espey said: "I hugely admire what was achieved with the first Ditillers One of One Auction in 2021. The spirit of collective endeavour is so strong within the Scotch whisky industry, and I am immensely excited to be working with friends and colleagues, old and new, to build on the success of 2021 and cement the Distillers One of One as the most exciting and unique rare spirits auction in the world."

22 July 2022 - Bethany Whymark