Kildare whiskey distillery now under new leadership

Enda O’Sullivan has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer at Church of Oak, the progressive Irish whiskey distillery in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare.

The purpose-built distillery has been crafting whiskey since 2022, following an extensive redevelopment of Ballykelly Mills, the 200-year-old former mill and malthouse along the banks of the Grand Canal.

With over 20 years in the global premium drinks industry, Enda joins Church of Oak from Canadian drinks group, Mark Anthony Brands, where he was Vice President, Global Spirits and led the establishment and global roll-out of the group’s Spirits business unit and brand portfolio. Previously, he spent a decade with renowned Scottish Family Distiller, William Grant & Sons and held various leadership positions including Managing Director of the Latin America region based in Mexico City, and Global Brand Director for Glenfiddich, Grant’s Whisky and Sailor Jerry Rum based in Dublin and London. He also spent several years leading the Schweppes portfolio at Asahi Beverages in Australia and began his career in sales & marketing at Ireland’s leading dairy group, Ornua, building the Kerrygold brand in Germany.

Enda O’Sullivan said, “It’s a privilege to be entrusted to work with the team at Church of Oak. I have been so impressed with the depth of care, provenance and innovative thinking that’s going into whiskey making at the distillery. I’m looking forward to working closely with the Board and the team in Monasterevin, as we take the project to the next stage in its exciting evolution.”

Richard Burrows, a shareholder in Church of Oak, welcomed Enda’s appointment. He said, “Enda has extensive international industry experience. His expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we bring Church of Oak to the next level. His appointment affirms our vision for Church of Oak as a new progressive force in world whiskey.”

Paying tribute to Garrett Pitcher who is moving on after eight years, following the completion of the design, planning and development phases of the project, Richard Burrows added. “We would like to pay tribute to Garrett as he moves on to pursue new opportunities. We wish him well and thank him for his passion and dedication, which has contributed in no small way to bringing Church of Oak to where it is today.”

Garrett Pitcher, co-founder and outgoing Managing Director of Church of Oak, said: “The past eight years have been an epic and rewarding journey. I am deeply proud to have led this team from inception, and I am incredibly grateful to have worked alongside them in building Church of Oak from the ground up. As the company evolves, and as Enda takes the helm, I wish him, my co-founders and the wider team the very best in writing the next exciting chapter of this liquid story.”

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