DALSTONS-Jacob Colton Landscape

Colton sold his company to Team.blue in November 2021

Soft drinks brand Dalston’s Soda Co has appointed Jacob Colton as its new managing director.

Colton joins Dalston’s from a background in tech and IT, having sold his company Catalyst2 in November 2021. He subsequently left the company in April.

His only previous drinks expertise came as a grocery commercial executive for Innocent from 2006 to 2009.

He will report into Dalston’s founder Duncan O’Brien, who will continue to be actively involved in leading the business.

Colton had “a first-rate track record leading rapid sales growth and developing and managing individuals, teams, and processes,” said O’Brien.

“He brings the valuable commercial experience needed for the next exciting episode of Dalston’s growth,” he added.

Dalston’s was “a vibrant, fast-growing brand with fantastic-tasting products that have enormous potential to dominate the premium soft drinks market,” said Colton.

“I’m passionate about exceptional customer experiences and brilliant products and I’m delighted to drive Dalston’s in this next period of expansion,” he added.

Colton’s hire came alongside the news that Dalston’s has sealed a national listing with Holland & Barrett for its new functional soda range.

The range, which debuted in Tropical and Raspberry in January, contains 3g of plant fibre and 15% of an adult’s recommended daily intake of both magnesium and zinc per can.

Dalston’s drinks are also sold in Waitrose, Asda and on Ocado. They were delisted by Sainsbury’s in May, however, according to Assosia data.