Founder & CEO

Jay’s career has taken him from Ireland to Australia, America to London, in roles that ranged from marketing and sales specialist to BBQ pitmaster, CEO to craftsman, restaurateur to mixologist. But the common threads that wove through them all were a thirst for knowledge, a skill for building teams, a deep appreciation for wood and flavour, and a passion for whiskey.

It was discovering a 19th century book called ‘Truths about Whisky’ that sparked Jay’s obsession with raising the profile of Irish whiskey and reinstating it to its rightful place as the global leader of the whiskey industry. Over a glass of whiskey with his father one night, they mapped out the businesses that would become the Whiskey & Wealth Club and The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., both envisioned with the goal of reinvigorating the Irish whiskey industry and reimagining it as a luxury collectable beyond anything that had gone before. Over a glass of whiskey with his father one night, they mapped out the businesses that would become the Whiskey & Wealth Club and The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., both envisioned with the goal of reinvigorating the Irish whiskey industry, providing a unique opportunity for whiskey investment, and reimagining the spirit as a luxury collectable beyond anything that had gone before.

Managing Director

As the Director of his own consultancy business, Ian was the brains behind the £1.6 million Fabergé x Game of Thrones egg and his networking and negotiation skills have been central to The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.’s partnerships with Michelin Guide, Fabergé and other exclusive brands.

From his early days at Selfridges where he was promoted to manager within three weeks, to being headhunted as Commercial Manager at Fulham Football Club, Ian has consistently outperformed all expectations and broken company records. His time at Audi saw him break the record for the highest number of cars sold, a record he still holds, while his work with Fulham led to the creation of the first branded football gin and bar in collaboration with Sipsmith. His role as a Consultant Director and Consultant for Nth Degree Club furthered the strategic skills and creative vision he now brings to The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.

But it is his passion for Ireland and Irish whiskey that now drives him above all else. Passionate and patriotic about changing the future of Irish whiskey, he directs his creative drive, strategic vision and sheer ambition to building a company that leaves a lasting legacy.

Chief Design Officer

Over the last decade Tiago Russo has designed for some of the most respectable brands in the world. His impressive portfolio spans the luxury lifestyle domain from spirits to cosmetics, automotive to timepieces including: The Macallan, Dewar’s, The Dalmore, Craigellachie, Bacardi, Louis Vuitton, Patek Philippe, Coty Inc. and McLaren, to name a few.

Russo has been obsessed with detailed design for much of his career and holds a Master’s degree in Product Design with Automotive Design specialisation. With over a decade of experience implausibly dedicated to design, Russo is the ultimate perfectionist, always focused on making ideas a reality with a spirit of purpose, accuracy and finesse. Mastering the full design process from concept through to production, Russo is continuously immersing himself in culture and innovation to create pioneering, meaningful designs.

Chief Financial Officer

Tony joined us in May 2021 and brings a wealth of financial experience gained in the whiskey industry, including as Finance Director for Dublin Liberties Distillery, while Masters degrees in Law and Accountancy mean his knowledge is second-to-none. From accounting for ageing liquid to customising ERP systems, his skill and experience is invaluable in ensuring The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. is efficiently and responsibly organised. His passion for working in start-ups means he’s adept at managing the challenges that can bring, and is a steady, calm hand in helping to steer the company.

With a passion for personal development and education, he spends his free time as a part-time evening accountancy lecturer at a college in Dublin, and the little remaining time he has reading, travelling and recharging his batteries with friends.

Creative Director

Since acquiring first-class honours in film production in 2012, Jamie has progressed from videographer to creative director within reputable production companies in London and Sydney. Jamie’s extensive experience in filmmaking has allowed him to create quality content for The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. and produce a disruptive yet positive impact on the brands in the whiskey space.

As a producer on the documentary, Spirits of the Wild, Jamie’s work has been shortlisted for Best Documentary at the EVCOM London Live and Film Awards. Charting 18 months the life of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. this documentary is a behind-the-scenes look at just what it takes to go from start-up to world-record breaking in under two years.

Design Director

With a creative and curious nature, Katia started pursuing the Design world from a very young age, achieving a Master’s Degree in Product Design after several years studying and improving her skills in this field, building a successful career developing new products and pushing boundaries mainly in the glass industry, a field where she has been working on for several years and specializes in.

Inspired by nature, different cultures and constantly absorbing her surroundings, Katia’s design process focuses on observing and understanding every detail to get the best outcome for each and every different project.

Head of Luxury On-Trade

Rosie joined The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. as one of our very first employees after completing a Legal Practice Course and has since risen through the ranks to become an indispensable source of knowledge on everything from legal contracts to operations. Heading up our latest release, her work ethic is unrivalled and she knows the business inside out, which is no mean feat when you consider the fast pace of day-to-day life here. But Rosie thrives on the energy of the company, driven by the fast growth, incomparable work culture and the exciting pipeline of products she gets to work on everyday.

Head of Talent Acquisition

One of the first members of the team, Emma started in HR at Whiskey & Wealth Club but her strong background in field sales for Harvey Nichols and Fortnum and Mason, amongst other luxury brands, has made her a fantastic asset to The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.’s Field Sales team.

Driven by the challenges and excitement of a rapidly growing business, Emma loves the sense of creating something hugely successful from scratch and carving her own way in a company where no day is the same. A real people-person, her infectious energy has her described as a ‘Duracell Bunny’ and it’s no surprise that she’s a keen fitness enthusiast.

Director of Client Relations

You might recognise Mo from the Craft Whiskey Boys, the YouTube channel he presents with Jay Bradley and Solomon Sayer. And it would be safe to say that Mo is as whiskey-mad as he seems. From his early days as a mixologist in a bar that boasted over 200 whiskeys, to his role as Director of Client Relations for The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., whiskey has been Mo’s passion for many years. And that makes his job less of a job and more of a calling; he lives and breathes The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.

Being part of the tasting team for new products makes Mo an invaluable part of The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.’s portfolio of award-winning whiskeys, and he’d pick out The Devil’s Keep as his favourite whiskey, feeling it epitomises everything we stand for. As with so many of our team, he credits the vision, ambition and energy of the company with driving him to be the best he can be.

Rare Release Specialist

After learning all there is to know about our rare whiskeys as part of the Rare Releases team, Aaron is now taking our whiskeys on the road and into the finest bars and restaurants around the country. Drawing on his experience as a top performing Sales Manager at Volvo, he brings his winning people skills and love of Ireland and whiskey to this face-to-face role.

Competitive and driven, he feeds off the energy of the office and was drawn to the company by the potential of what was then a small start-up. He’s excited to be part of such a dynamic, young, and rapidly growing business, and to be working everyday to raise the profile of Irish whiskey.

Business Development Manager

Having started his own business straight out of school, Ross is no stranger to building teams and dealing with the ups and downs of life in a fast-paced environment. After his own business was hit by the 2008 global financial crisis, Ross dusted himself off and left Ireland for London. Working with brands such as Selfridges, Harrods and Macy’s, and building up a team of 15 staff to bring the company their best ever year gave him the experience and drive to set up on his own and he spent the next few years designing an LED lighting system, travelling the world promoting his brand and launching a pop-up shop in Covent Garden.

After selling his share in the company, Ross honed his skills at Audi, rising through the ranks to become the Audi Sport Expert. But after meeting with Jay to discuss an investment, he was captivated by the passion, vision and drive he displayed and came across to work with Whiskey and Wealth Club, before moving to a role he describes as ‘a passion, not a 9-5′.

Not only is Ross passionate when it comes to whiskey, he was scouted by Ireland’s Olympic team for Archery, and is famed for having split his own arrow – you could say he’s our very own Robin Hood.

Sales Manager

Our varied events allow us to bring our fleet of award-winning and record-breaking whiskeys to a wide audience, and Adam is integral to the planning and execution of those occasions. From large-scale events to more intimate tastings, he assists on every aspect, from planning and strategising to delivering a seamless experience. As a trained accountant, his mind for numbers is invaluable in ensuring that the business side of the events is as flawless as the creative side.

He’s just moved from Dublin to London to join The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. but already plans on staying in the city for the long-term. In his downtime he can often be found practising his mixed martial arts, hiking, and exploring everything London has to offer.

On Trade Account Specialist

Born and raised in Ireland, her love and knowledge for whiskey stemmed from her family traditions and Irish heritage, which makes her a perfect fit for The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. After spending many years as a contemporary dancer in Mexico, followed by an extensive career within the property industry, Nicole has joined our on trade team where she is responsible for introducing The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. to upscale bars and restaurants. Nicole’s wealth of experience and people skills has helped her to build and solidify long lasting relationships within her field of expertise. Nicole is a highly active character and when she’s not training BJJ at her martial arts club, you can find her salsa dancing while sipping on her favourite cocktail: an old fashioned.

Account Manager

It is a passion for new adventures and the opportunity to work for a dynamic and mission-led brand that brought Emily to The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.  An integral part of our Field Sales team, she brings skills gained through her teaching experience, including resilience, positive communication and a keen eye for detail. After working in public relations, she joined The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. where she ensures the onboarding process for new accounts is seamless and oversees the planning of deliveries to our Michelin-starred and upscale partner venues. Her care and attention to detail ensures the precious bottles are perfectly prepared and delivered. 

Head of Logistics & Procurement

Hailing from Ireland, Eddie’s early fascination with supply chain management sparked a lifelong commitment to understanding the intricate web that connects suppliers, manufacturers, and customers. This led him to immerse himself in the logistics industry in Ireland and the US. With expertise in optimising operations, he excelled at Diageo for fourteen years, initially for Baileys Cream Liqueur, before spearheading innovation across their global spirits and beer portfolio. At Glanbia Performance Nutrition, he designed an integrated logistics network in the EMEA region. Later, at Amazon’s AWS division, he supported exponential growth in their data centre operations. In his spare time, he loves to travel and is an avid rugby and football fan.

Operations Manager

Based in Dublin, David oversees the practicalities of our projects, from ensuring the right liquid is in the right casks at the right ABV, to managing the logistics of delivering every element on time and to the right place.

He brings a wealth of experience in launching spirits and beers, having worked for Diageo and Bacardi-Martini across a range of drinks, from Guinness to tequila, gin to rum. He was instrumental in relaunching the Dublin Liberties Distillery, and built the processes of the distillery from scratch. This experience has given him an innate understanding of whiskey, and Irish whiskey in particular, and his technical knowledge is indispensable when crafting our unique single malts.

David was drawn to The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. by the audacity of the ideas – as he puts it, this is a company where seemingly impossible ideas are brought to life successfully through the sheer will, passion and determination of the team.

Operations Executive

After completing a Classics degree at Swansea University, Jess joins The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. in our Events and Marketing Team. She brings with her a background in customer-facing roles, including the hospitality sector. With hospitality having been a key part of her life from a young age, she’s ideally placed to look after our growing events schedule in the luxury market.

Her enthusiasm, energy and personable nature make her a natural fit for events where she’s able to represent The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. and engage with clients looking to find out more about our rare release whiskeys.

Head of PR

Matthew came to The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. with a wealth of experience in luxury communications with a focus on the hospitality sector and UHNWI engagement. He led the PR & Communications team at the Caprice Holdings Restaurant Group for three years, working with the group’s exceptional bar teams and wine & spirit brand partners, and headed up the luxury division at hospitality and travel focussed communications agency, AKA Communications.

At The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., Matthew will use his skills in conceiving, planning, and implementing communications campaigns, liaising with the press and brand partners, and championing the brand and its world class whiskeys amongst key stakeholders and media globally.

Digital Marketing Manager

With a degree from the University of Edinburgh in History of Art, Annabel has worked with some of the biggest names in art and collectables, including Sotheby’s, Christie’s and The Fleming-Wyfold Art Foundation. Working as a Social Media Manager for 303 London, Artscapes UK and S+O Studio has made her a go-to in the luxury sphere for Social Media and Content.

With past clients spread across alcohol and luxury lifestyle, her work at The Craft Irish Whiskey Co. utilises the best of her experience while offering the opportunity to learn more about whiskey from the best in the business. Working across both Whiskey & Wealth Club and The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., she’s responsible for showcasing the beauty, innovation, craft and investment potential of our whiskeys across newsletters, website, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Senior Creative Producer

Christian began his cinematography and directing career working on film and TV productions with Netflix, Amazon, BBC and NBC Universal. He brings the skills and vast experience gained with these broadcasting giants to The Craft Irish Whiskey Co., joining the team responsible for capturing the beauty and meticulous design details of our products. 

Driven by a passion for narrative and image, he curates and produces effective creative campaigns with film and print that are both cinematic and provoking. In his downtime he can often be found in the cinema or exploring London for creative inspiration. 

Lead Video and Audio Editor

Julian is a South African-born video and audio editor and honed his skills in audio engineering by studying at the Berklee College of Music Online when he was just sixteen years old. He started his career working on local productions in Africa, followed by time spent living in Florence and Spain. Despite living around the world, he’s always carried his cultural background and love of story with him and since moving to London has worked in film production at Google, YouTube and on a critically acclaimed Netflix documentary about whiskey. 

This broad spectrum of experience and his love of a well rounded whiskey, neat, makes him a perfect fit for a company of whiskey-lovers. 

Product Designer

José’s skills straddle both the practical and theoretical sides of design, with a love of prototyping, research, and technological design. It is this hands-on approach that allows him to contribute to innovative and valuable products that are both exquisitely beautiful yet designed to be used and solve the everyday needs of real people.

Graphic Designer

An experienced Graphic Designer, Ricardo is driven to learn more and test his skills and abilities  with new challenges and experiences. His love of drawing, illustration and exploring new concepts and techniques allows him to push his creations further, leading to strikingly beautiful collateral materials that showcase the exquisite design and craftsmanship of our products. 

Office Manager

Joining The Craft Irish Whiskey Co.’s award-winning design team from a background in the construction industry represented a change in direction for Ana but allowed her to bring an engineer’s mindset to design, balancing beauty with functionality. As Office Manager, she ensures the smooth operation of the team in Lisbon.

Finance Assistant

Charlie began his career in the beverage industry working as a brewer for a brewery not far from our London office. Since then, he’s brought his unique perspective on the industry to our finance team, and is now studying towards his CIMA qualifications to cement his career in the finance world.

Outside of work, Charlie loves to watch live music, pickle different foods, home brew beer, and try to work those home brews off in the gym!