Following a successful first year of trading, non-alcoholic UK cider brand Chance has recruited Gareth Bath, former managing director at Distill Ventures, BrewDog, and Curious Drinks, as it ‘co-pilot and strategic advisor’.
The brand recently completed a round of SEIS – a UK government scheme that encourages small business investment by offering tax reliefs – where it raised in excess of £200,000 to accelerate its growth.
Produced by Aston Manor Cider Makers using 100% British apples, Chance is now pouring across the Prezzo Italian restaurant chain, and is stocked in 700+ bars and venues nationwide.
But it still sees plenty of room for growth – while 87% of UK pubs now stock a non-alcoholic beer, only around 33% offer a non-alcoholic cider, leaving a major gap in a category where apple still makes up 80% of sales.
“What excites me about Chance is how closely the brand has listened,” said Bath. “Chance has been built from the ground up with the non-alcoholic cider drinker in mind, and it’s meeting a real need.
“I’m looking forward to helping the team build a brand that can stand proudly alongside the best in the no- and low-alcohol drinks space.”
Founder John Logue, who spent two decades in the drinks industry before launching Chance, commented: “We’re thrilled to have Gareth on board at such a pivotal moment. His experience in building world-class drinks brands will be invaluable as we accelerate growth and establish Chance as the leader in non-alcoholic cider.
“Closing our second SEIS round so quickly, and with such a strong group of backers, is a real vote of confidence in what we’re building.”
Investor and advisor Tim Marlow added: “Chance is a no-brainer for me, both as an investor and from a non-executive perspective.
“John’s passion, drive, and vision are truly infectious, and the Chance product is timely, delicious, and poised to become a core pillar in the global beverage market for years to come. I look forward to supporting Chance as it fulfils its enormous potential.”
