Position title
Non-Executive Director / Mentor Craft Distillery Sector
Description

NED Capital is working on behalf of a small, ambitious business in the craft spirits and distillery sector to appoint an experienced Non-Executive Director who can also act as a hands-on mentor to the founder and leadership team. This is a rare opportunity to bring board-level governance experience into a growing artisan producer at an important stage of its development.

The Opportunity

Our client is a small, founder-led distillery business looking to professionalise its governance structure while retaining the agility and craft identity that has driven its early success. The board is seeking a Non-Executive Director who can combine formal NED discipline with informal, practical mentoring — someone comfortable moving between boardroom oversight and one-to-one guidance for a founder navigating rapid growth.

This appointment suits a NED who enjoys working close to the business, not just attending quarterly board meetings. Expect regular contact with the founder, involvement in key commercial decisions, and a genuine mentoring relationship alongside the standard governance remit.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

  • Provide independent, objective challenge and support to the founder and senior leadership team
  • Bring structure and rigour to board processes, reporting and decision-making as the business scales
  • Advise on growth strategy, including routes to market, distribution partnerships, and funding options
  • Support financial oversight, working alongside the finance function on budgeting, cash flow and investment decisions
  • Mentor the founder on leadership, delegation and building a scalable management team
  • Help identify and manage key business risks, including regulatory, supply chain and production risk specific to the drinks industry
  • Act as a sounding board for major commercial decisions, including potential M&A, licensing or export opportunities
Qualifications

Candidate Profile

We are looking for a candidate who brings:

  • Proven Non-Executive Director experience, ideally with small or founder-led businesses
  • A track record of mentoring entrepreneurs or first-time founders through periods of growth
  • Experience in FMCG, drinks, hospitality, or a comparable consumer-facing sector is highly desirable, though not essential
  • Strong commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to interpret management accounts and challenge assumptions constructively
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the emotional intelligence to build trust quickly with a founder-led team
  • A genuine interest in craft production, artisan brands, or the spirits industry is a strong advantage
  • Availability for regular contact beyond standard board meeting cadence, reflecting the mentoring element of the role

Time Commitment & Remuneration

This is a part-time, flexible engagement structured around board meetings plus additional ad hoc mentoring time with the founder. Time commitment and remuneration will be agreed directly with the successful candidate based on experience and the level of involvement required. Full details will be shared with shortlisted candidates.

 

Job Benefits

About the Appointment Process

This search is being handled on a confidential basis. Candidates who progress to shortlist stage will receive a full information pack, including further detail on the business, its ownership structure and its growth plans.

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Non-Executive Finance Director
Employment Type
Part-time
Beginning of employment
1st October 2026
Duration of employment
Perm
Industry
Distillery
Job Location
London, South East, United Kingdom
Working Hours
9-5
Base Salary
£12,000-£16,000 Per year
Date posted
August 23, 2026
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Position: Non-Executive Director / Mentor Craft Distillery Sector

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