Our leadership team has both the ambition and experience to continue our growth across global markets as well as consolidating our existing position and ensuring that our commitment to quality is undiminished.

Judy Halewood

Chairwoman

Judy was appointed Chairwoman in 2011, inheriting the role from her late husband, John Halewood, who successfully founded the business in 1978. Judy works closely alongside the executive leadership team to continue the ongoing growth of Halewood’s artisanal spirits portfolio.

Judy Halewood

Ian Douglas

Director

Over the past ten years, Ian has provided financial and business advice on behalf of Halewood shareholders. He brings over 40 year experience to the role, having previously worked as a chartered accountant and tax advisor at DSG Chartered Accountants.

Ian Douglas

Stewart Hainsworth

Group CEO

Appointed CEO in 2015, Stewart is an internationally mobile CEO with a proven track record in FMCG businesses. A former FTSE 100 Director, he has experience working globally across the UK, USA, Scandinavia, Switzerland, Eastern Europe, CIS, Middle East, China, Australia and Africa.

He has held senior board positions in large publicly traded companies and worked as a turnaround specialist CEO in private equity backed companies. He is also a certified chartered accountant, and Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (FCA).

Stewart Hainsworth

John Kennedy

Group CFO

Appointed as Halewood Group CFO in 2023, having previously held roles such as Finance Director, Sales Director and Head of Commercial Finance.

He has held senior financial positions in companies such as Brewdog, MMI and Whyte & Mackay. He is a certified chartered accountant.

James Stocker

Sales & Marketing Director

James has many years of marketing experience in the drinks industry, having worked for distillers and brewers both in the UK and internationally.

Most recently, he spent five years at William Grant & Son’s, where he managed brands such as Glenfiddich, Grant’s Whisky, The Balvenie and Sailor Jerry. In a drinks distributor capacity, James has worked on brands including Johnnie Walker, Rémy Martin, Bombay Sapphire, Cointreau, Kronenbourg 1664 and Heineken.

As well as the marketing department, James heads up the UK on trade business and impulse & online channels.

James Stocker

Lee Tayburn

Group Operations Director

With over 20 years of experience in manufacturing operations, Lee has covered all aspects of the role, from contract packing through to distillery design and build. He started his career with Halewood at H&A Prestige Bottling before moving to Halewood.

Today, he is responsible for all aspects of the Operations for the Halewood Group in the UK.

Scott Kilshaw

Supply Chain Director

With 25 years Supply Chain Experience throughout the UK & Internationally, Scott is currently responsible for; Procurement, New Product Development, Demand Planning/Production Planning, Warehousing & Logistics.

Scott also has an S&OP background, and thrives on Project Management, Team Support & Enablement.

Previous to HAS (UK) Ltd, Scott worked in a PE owned business (ran by Rutland Partners) as the Supply Chain Director in mostly Far East Sourced products, and in-house produced product, who also supported a Transition into new Purpose built Distribution Centre in Daventry.