Leadership Team

PATSY BASS
FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Patsy was born in Reefton and returned in 2018 after a successful career in Human Resources, Change, Project and General Management to contribute to the revitalisation of her home town.  She attributes roles with Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu, Outward Bound New Zealand and some of New Zealand’s largest cooperative and not for profit organisations, with leading her back home to create a business with an intergenerational focus.

ALLAN HICKFORD
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Allan is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia/New Zealand, with 25+ years of commercial experience developed across a number of sectors.

He has a strong background in leadership, strategic growth and improving financial performance.

ANDREW NAIRN, M.Sc.
DISTILLERY OPERATIONS OPTIMISATION SPECIALIST

Andrew moved from science/chemistry to a distilling career with Diageo in 2011, where he earned a reputation for exceptional quality, process efficiency and leadership, through to designing and running production.  Andrew most recently played a key role in the establishment of Borders Distillery, Scotland and is now supporting our optimisation and expansion plans.

GARETH MCGRAIL
GENERAL MANAGER SALES & MARKETING

Gareth brings extensive experience in sales, marketing and general management roles with multi beverage, blue chip companies, as well as entrepreneurial SME’s across the alcoholic beverage sector. Gareth has worked across the Diageo, Pernod Ricard and many other luxury spirits portfolios. He leads our sales and marketing functions globally.