David Coveney

Sales professional with over 20 years in premium hospitality and drinks, working across the on-trade, premium retail and wholesale. I have spent the majority of my career selling high-end products into the accounts that matter most: five-star hotels, destination restaurants, premium department stores and specialist retailers who care about what they stock and why. My approach has always been about building real commercial relationships rather than chasing volume for its own sake.

I find the right homes for a product and make sure it performs once it is there. I have done this across brands at the ultra-premium end of the market, and I understand what it takes to represent a luxury product at the level it deserves. I am now looking to bring that experience to a different category.

The world I have operated in is the same world a luxury tea brand lives in, and the conversations I would be having are ones I have been having for years.

Founder - Spyglass Advisory

(2025-09)

Commercial advisory practice helping independent food and drinks brands build UK market presence, find the right partners and develop route to market strategy.

• Working primarily with premium non-alcoholic and food brands, advising on UK retail and on-trade entry on a fractional basis
• Build targeted prospect lists, manage outreach and take partnerships from first conversation through to signed agreement
• Advise on positioning, pricing, wholesale strategy and retail approach to ensure brands enter the market the right way

Business Development Manager - Jukes Cordialities

(2026-07 - 2026-10)

Jukes Cordialities is a premium non-alcoholic drinks brand with a loyal following across luxury hospitality and specialist retail. The role was focused on growing the UK on-trade and retail footprint before the board closed the business.

• Built and managed relationships with premium on-trade accounts and specialist retailers
• Worked closely with the founder to develop sales strategy and identify priority account targets

Sales Director - BBB Drinks

(2021-08 - 2025-09)

Senior commercial role managing a portfolio of premium and ultra-premium international spirits brands across national accounts, premium retail and wholesale.

• Managed and grew 44N Gin, winning accounts including Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Hedonism alongside prestige on-trade venues and Aubaine Restaurants
• Built and activated Inverroche Gin across national on-trade groups and key accounts, managing activation and driving velocity
• Won and activated Urban Pubs and Bars group-wide and Inception Group across their cocktail menus, managing the full process from first conversation through to placement and training
• Managed wholesale relationships across Speciality Drinks, LWC, Amathus, Master of Malt, Matthew Clark and Marstons, collaborating on sell-out and distribution targets
• Held full P&L accountability for the brand portfolio, managing trade spend, promotional budgets and commercial terms
• Led a team of 6 to 10 across brand, sales and admin functions

Head of On-Trade and Field Sales Manager - Tarquin's Gin (Southwestern Distillery)

(2017-08 - 2021-08)

Built Tarquin's Gin's national on-trade presence from the ground up, winning flagship accounts and leading a field sales team to maintain and grow them.

• Won and activated prestigious accounts including The American Bar at The Savoy, The Rosewood Hotel, The Goring, The Gibson and Nightjar
• Negotiated an exclusive collaborative gin with The Rosewood Hotel, now the house gin at Holborn Dining Room, built entirely through relationship development
• Won multi-site and leisure accounts including David Lloyd Leisure Group, Robinsons Brewery and Brakspear Pubs, growing national distribution beyond premium London
• Managed wholesale partnerships and a national field sales team of 8
• Part of the team that grew Southwestern Distillery into one of the UK's top five independent distilleries, selling over a million bottles a year

Gin Champion and Mr Copperhead UK - 10 Degrees C

(2015-09 - 2017-08)

• Launched Copperhead Gin into the UK market, securing its biggest international account within 12 months: an exclusive partnership generating close to 3,000 bottles per year
• Built brand presence through consumer and corporate events, establishing long-term venue and trade relationships

Senior Management Roles - Grosvenor Hotel and The Vineyard Hotel and Spa

(2011 - 2015)

Senior front-of-house and management roles across five-star London and country house hotel properties.

• Head Bartender at The Reunion Bar, Grosvenor Hotel: led a team of 5 to 7, drove 60% revenue growth through new menu development, hosted events for major corporate clients
• Head Barman at The Vineyard Hotel and Spa: full responsibility for bar operations, cellar, events and team development at a five-star Berkshire property

Management Training - Hotel du Vin Group

(2004-10 - 2010-03)

Broad operational grounding across multiple hotel departments at a premium UK hotel group, progressing to Head Bartender.