ABOUT:

What was the inspiration behind starting your distillery?

The One brand was born out of a simple idea 15 years ago, to sell bottled water in the UK and donate the proceeds to fund safe, clean water projects in the world’s poorest communities. The brand was called ‘One’ because of its mission, to change lives one bottle at a time, one day at a time.

On World Water Day 2017, building on the awareness and growing community of One Water, One Gin was launched - turning the British public’s love of gin into a force for good and combining our passion for beautiful, premium gin with a belief that business can make the world a better place. 

What was your career and interests until the point of deciding to start a spirits business or work for one?

My background is in advertising and marketing. I started my career in integrated agencies; I then joined One Water where I led product development, innovation and marketing. But I also had a penchant for gin, particularly in Dry Martinis and Negronis, which led me to start investigating the idea of a gin for good.

What are your views on the future of the spirits industry and it's current state?

Whilst the concept of a gin for good, or a spirit for good, even 2 years ago was quite new, it’s great to see spirits brands, large and small, now embracing the power that they have to make the world a better place. The drive towards reducing impact on people and the planet is growing and we are delighted to be part of that. Alongside our continued resolve to raise additional funds for clean water programmes in the world’s poorest communities, we are also on a journey to reduce our impact, with Scope 3 carbon neutrality on our roadmap among many other initiatives.

But sustainability doesn’t stifle innovation, far from it, as new spirits concepts, both alcohol based and No & Lo continue to surprise and delight.

Finally, the rise of home bartending and pre-mixed drinks is an exciting massive growth area. There is no doubt that it’s been a tough 18 months for a lot of us, but there is an exciting future ahead.

What plans does the One brand have for the future?

Our model is different to most of our competitors, because we contract distil. But we do have big plans. We are looking forward to the One Butterfly taking off globally this year and we are also working on a big launch at the end of this year which will take us to another level, both for the brand and our impact on the world - watch this space!!!

What do you find the most challenging in your day to day role?

Where do I start!? I guess it must be the eternal tension between making all the ideas we have come to life and the stark realities of cashflow.

What are your views on sustainability?

We are great believers that sustainability must permeate everything that we do, making our business as sustainable as it can be is our number one priority this year.

Cecile, my co-founder (and wife!) is currently doing a deep dive course with the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership and we are looking to ensure that everything we do not only has a positive impact on people (which is why we were created) but also on the planet.

Is there a spirit or variation, not in your portfolio, that you are really keen to create and why?

We are not “The Spirit Of One” without reason! There are a lot of miles left in our gins range yet, but a new spirit is always in the wings. I’ll say no more...!
 

What is your favourite part of your job?

There is nothing quite like tasting the final iteration of a new drink and saying ‘That’s it. We’ve got it’. It’s the most amazing feeling to know that from there, it’s off to be distilled and bottled and that thousands of people will taste - and hopefully - enjoy it.

Okay a few light hearted questions now.

If you could have any celebrity as an apprentice, who would it be and why?

Joe Wicks. He likes his gin and could whip all of us into shape. Win win.

What would your spirit animal be and why?

It’s going to have to be the penguin. There’s just something so admirable about their patience, determination and endurance.

If you ran away and joined the circus, what would your act be?

It would have to be a fortune teller.

........ and finally

What would your first steps be in a zombie apocalypse?

Grab the gin, the kids, and the wife (in that order!)