Tag: Andy Stewart

A good Rep isn’t hard to find: Andy Stewart

Say hello to number nine of this ten…

Andy Stewart

Business Development manager

Berry Bros and Rudd Brands

Scotland

Andy worked in bars for 15 years in his native Aberdeen and set the
cocktail competition circuit alight picking up gong after
gong – like the Disaronno Mixing Star – before finding his way to his
current role.

“I did what every aging bartender does. It’s either brand rep or brand
ambassador and I went for the former.”

Andy was attracted to Berry Bros because of his passion for the drinks
industry and because of its rich and varied history.

He says, “15 years behind the bar in every venue from high-end cocktail
bars to high-energy late night clubs and travelling the world with cocktail
competitions led me to Berry Bros and its 323 years of history. It’s one
of the ten oldest family-owned companies in the UK.”
He was furloughed at the start of the pandemic, which just happened to
coincide with a huge life event.

“Luckily for my wife and I, I was furloughed not long after my daughter Lola had been
born, in January 2020, so I guess it was like extended paternity leave. We
have been very lucky when I consider the horror stories and trials of
friends and customer have gone through over the last 12 to 18 months. ”
The pandemic has reshaped his role too. “I was exclusively on-trade
focused, but since the pandemic I am now on-trade, off-trade, wholesale,
route to market and now that the on-trade has re-opened, this has
involved lots of plate spinning in the air and it will require a lot of
strict time management in the future.”
There’s always been a sense of camaraderie among reps in Aberdeen and
that’s one thing that he doesn’t see changing. “I know a lot of brand
reps and would meet up, have a drink, have a chat and rip into each
other. Even during lockdown we’re still messaging and supporting each
other.
“Hospitality has always been a supportive industry, there to help each
other out. No one rep can provide everything for a venue. You need to
have a mix around. I help with xyz and then introduce, say, Angus from Speciality, for the rest.

“Yes, you become pally with customers, and yes, want them to sell, but
also want to help them.”

What’s the mood in the trade across the country? “One word: trepidation.
We don’t know where things are going to go. There’s an element of fear.
I’ve also seen a change in public’s drinking habits. House measures and
home bars have changed people’s expectations of what they can drink and
what things cost.”