Tyrrells founder William Chase has hired Gambit Corporate Finance partner Adrian Jones as managing director of Chase Distillery.

Jones has worked with Chase in the past and advised him on the £40m sale of Tyrrells to private equity firm Langholm Capital in 2008.

Since selling Tyrrells, Chase has concentrated on building up Chase Distillery, which makes premium spirits including unusually flavoured products such as rhubarb vodka, marmalade vodka and Seville orange gin. The drinks are made from produce grown on the family farm in Herefordshire.

Chase has brought Jones in to run the distillery and farm, though he will continue to play an active role. Jones will focus on sales, production and finance, while Chase will focus on marketing and PR.

Chase is also looking to make other appointments. To support future growth, the distillery is on the lookout for new salespeople and a distiller who will play an important role in the development of new products.

Jones comes to the role after 20 years in corporate finance. He has worked as a business adviser at Ernst & Young, Clearwater Corporate Finance, BDO International and most recently as a partner at Gambit, where he also led the Birmingham office. He has advised on more than 70 completed deals with values from £3m to £200m.

The move follows another recent appointment of a corporate finance professional to a top role in the industry. Paul Herman, co-founder of Bluebox Corporate Finance Group, was appointed to the board of Victory Electronic Cigarettes after advising the company on the $70m acquisition of Vapestick earlier this year.

In 2012, William Chase bought a vineyard in Provence and last month launched his first wine - William Chase Rosé 2013.

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