Our People

Stephen Davies

Managing Director

Stephen joined the company in January 2005, having previously been a Regional Director with Brambles Industrial Services in the UK and Netherlands. He has an honours degree in Geology/Geography, a Master in Business Administration and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply. As Managing Director, Stephen oversees the running of the business in all its aspects and is passionate about Penderyn Distillery

As well as his role at Penderyn, Stephen is also Chairman of the Craft Distillers Alliance, a Director of Browns Hotel, Laugharne, and a Board Member (Non-Executive) with the Wales Probation Trust.

Neil Burchell

Chairman

Neil has worked in the Food business for more than 30 years in categories stretching from Biscuits and Peanuts, through Fruit Juice to Yogurt and Ice Cream ! His business experience has been gained in both the UK and overseas including a two year stint in Moscow. He joined the business in mid-2011 to further strengthen the team and help lead the company to new heights.

Jim Swan

Master Blender & Consultant Distiller

Dr Jim Swan has been involved with the Welsh Whisky Company since it began distilling and is their Master Blender charged with creating the unique style of Penderyn single malt. He is a consultant to the World-wide drinks industry and assists the quality aims of Blue Chip brewers, winemakers, distillers and cooperages as well as several small producers in five continents.

After graduating from the Heriot-Watt University in Chemistry he later gained a PhD in Chemistry and Biological Sciences from the same University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and was awarded Fellowship of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling and more recently a special award from The Malt Advocate magazine for services to the barrel industry. His particular areas of expertise include maturation in oak casks, product quality, distillation and blending. He has undertaken training courses on sensory evaluation of drinks and has managed UK Government and EU research programmes worth over £3M. He is the author of numerous scientific papers and has taken part in TV and radio broadcasts into spirits quality. He is a panel chairman judge at the International Wine and Spirits Competition."

Huw Thomas

Financial Controller

A Chartered Accountant, having qualified with PWC in 1991, Huw joined Welsh Whisky in early 2011. With many years experience as the senior finance professional with SME’s in Wales, incorporating a wide range of sectors such as logistics, food processing, direct sales and construction, Huw is now responsible for all financial and company secretarial elements of the business. A graduate of Cardiff University, he holds a BSc (Econ) in Accountancy.

Jim Bradbury

Operations Manager

Jim joined the business in 2011. He has 32 years’ experience in QA and Operations managements, in high volume bottling operations, including HP Sauce in Birmingham, Britvic/Pepsi in Rugby, and Brecon Carreg Spring Water in Llandeilo. Key disciplines include Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement Programmes and Food safety having qualified as a BRC Global Food Safety Auditor in 2009.

Sian Whitelock

Commercial Director

Sian previously worked for Brambles Industrial Services in a Commercial role, and had enjoyed prior Management roles in Quality Management Systems and Customer Relationship Management. After 17 years’ service with the company, she decided to take up a new challenge and joined Penderyn in 2005.

In addition to assisting and overseeing the day to day running of the business, Sian's role covers many 'behind the scenes' activities such New Product Development, Marketing, PR activities, Export regulation compliance, Stock Control and Purchasing.

Nigel Short

Director & Shareholder

Nigel has been involved with Penderyn since well before the official launch in 2004, firstly as a Director and Shareholder, and later as Executive Chairman.

Born and bred in the Cynon Valley only a few miles from the distillery Nigel spent the first 25 years working in the steel industry world-wide and employed 1,500 people in six different countries, undertaking sophisticated on-site logistics. Nigel also runs a 400 acre organic lamb and beef farm in Carmarthenshire. He has coached junior rugby for several years and is a qualified rugby referee.