Premium spirits brand are on track to maintain the momentum of the last few years. However slowing growth and government measures to curb drinking pose significant challenges. It is more important than ever for drinks producers to invest in branding both to strike a tone that appeases regulators and defy category trends when times get tough
Gain first-hand insights from world leading brand practitioners and cutting-edge thinkers who will share their best practices, knowledge and expertise about managing and maximising brand value.
Ask questions and hear from the panellists as they share and discuss the trends and influences affecting drinks brands today.
Expand your network with international colleagues and gain first-hand insights from the world’s leading brands.
| 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Registration/Drinks Reception |
| 7:00pm - 7:10pm | David Haigh, CEO, Brand Finance |
| 7:10pm - 7:25pm | Ed Pilkington, Global Category, Vodka, Rum and Gin, Diageo |
| 7:25pm - 7:40pm | Frazer Thompson, CEO, Chapel Down and Curious Drinks |
| 7:40pm - 7:50pm |
Q/A |
| 7:50pm - 9:00pm | Orbis Aged World Whiskey led by Kevin Casey, Director, St James Distillery |
Ed Pilkington has been Marketing & Innovation Director for Diageo Western Europe since July 2013, and is a member of the Global Marketing Leadership Team and the Western Europe Executive Team.
During his time leading the team, Western Europe has earned market share becoming one of the best performing manufacturers in Western Europe whilst increasing media spend significantly. On the innovation front, Diageo is leading spirits innovation in Western Europe with Baileys Chocolat Luxe the biggest launch to date for the company in the region.
Ed first joined Diageo in 1990 and during his tenure has been Marketing and Innovation Director for Diageo Australia, and for the Latin America and Caribbean region. Prior to taking on the Western European role, Ed was Global Category Director, Vodka, Rum and Gin, based in Amsterdam.
Ed received a BA in Hispanic Studies from Birmingham University
David is the Chairman of Brand Finance Plc – the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy. He has worked in the area of branded business, brand, and intangible asset valuation since 1991. He specialised entirely in the field after becoming the Director of Brand Valuation for Interbrand in 1995. He subsequently left Interbrand in 1996 to launch Brand Finance which is celebrating 25 years in business this year.
David represented the British Standards Institution in the working parties responsible for crafting international industry standards: ISO 10668 on Brand Valuation in 2010 and ISO 20671 on Brand Evaluation in 2019.
David is a passionate writer and has authored many articles on brand valuation, published in numerous marketing and finance newspapers and magazines, such as: Financial Times, Accountancy Age, and Marketing Week. He has also lectured on the topic of brand valuation for Harvard, Chicago, and London Business Schools.
David graduated from Bristol University with an English degree, qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse in London, and obtained a postgraduate diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). He is a Fellow of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and has a practising certificate with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).
Frazer Thompson has been CEO of leading English winemakers and brewers Chapel Down Group since 2001. Prior to this he was the Global Brand Director at Heineken. Previously, he was also Chairman of the IoD for the Kent region, a Non-Executive Director at Brand Finance and a Director at Whitbread.