Fortitude Spirits Group, a new independent UK spirits company, has been officially launched today by Kliro Capital Partners. The venture follows Kliro’s acquisition of ICB in June 2023 and is set to challenge the industry with a focus on production, brand innovation, and distribution across domestic and international markets.
Led by a team of seasoned experts, the group is positioning itself to become one of the leading independent spirits companies in the UK. Fortitude Spirits Group plans to build distinctive brands that appeal to consumers globally, while also expanding its production and distribution capabilities.
The group will operate across three key divisions:
- Fortitude Spirits: This division will focus on creating, nurturing, and scaling innovative spirit brands designed to disrupt the market and capture global consumer interest.
- Fortitude Drinks UK: With a strong 35-year industry background, this division will be responsible for distributing both Fortitude’s own spirits and third-party brands across every UK sales channel, from supermarkets to specialist retailers. The team will leverage its sales and marketing expertise and longstanding customer relationships to build quality brands at all price points.
- ICB Distillers: Based on the existing reputation of ICB Distillers, this division will expand its production capacity to distil, blend, and bottle both Fortitude’s brands and third-party products. It will also offer private label services to meet growing demand in the UK spirits market.
Fortitude Spirits Group is led by an experienced executive team. Warren Scott, Chairman of Kliro Capital Partners and Fortitude Spirits Group, previously founded Quintessential Brands Group and has a 25-year career in investment banking at JP Morgan, KPMG, and Jefferies. He is joined by Nick England, Managing Director of Fortitude Drinks UK, who has held senior roles at Carlsberg UK, Mars, and William Grant & Sons. Paul Cornell, Brands Director of Fortitude Spirits, brings experience from Molson Coors, Asahi, and Diageo, where he led internationally recognised premium brands to significant growth.
A new CEO for Fortitude Spirits Group is expected to be announced shortly, further strengthening the leadership team as the group prepares for rapid expansion.
Warren Scott expressed his vision for the new company, saying: “Fortitude Spirits Group will offer a unique service to customers, brand owners, and consumers. The group will strive to discover new sources of growth across all price points, break boundaries in spirit creation, and serve as a pioneering partner, helping customers and brand owners towards shared success.”
Key details of Fortitude Spirits Group’s operations include a UK industry-accredited production facility in Middlesbrough with the capacity to produce up to six million cases annually. The company also handles over 400 SKUs each year, providing a broad range of product sizes and packaging options. Its UK-wide distribution network will support Fortitude Spirits Group’s ambitions to scale and diversify.
The group will also develop premium brands for international markets, with flagship products including Rozel Rosé Vodka, Café Solo Coffee Liqueur, and Hawksbill Spiced Rum, each aimed at bringing fresh innovation to the global spirits market.
As Fortitude Spirits Group embarks on its journey to disrupt the UK spirits industry, it hopes to set new standards in production, branding, and distribution.
