An experienced career coach with a broad commercial background and strong sense of cultural awareness, David has over 20 years firsthand experience of working within, and recruiting for companies operating in the FMCG Food and Drinks industry, notably in the brewing, wines and spirits sectors.
David began his career within the beer production and sales environment working as a graduate trainee for Joshua Tetley in Leeds.
He then moved to a role running a major free house operation in Central London where he was responsible for the development of a number of small brewers’ businesses, ranging from introducing Timothy Taylor’s famous ‘Landlord’ bitter to London, and working with a Norfolk micro producer of ‘Old Growler’.
David’s career took on a new cultural perspective when he moved to work in Thailand with the Allied Domecq Spirits & Wines business. There, he continued to champion small producers, introducing Denbies English wine to the market place alongside British beer and cider. David worked in Thailand for four years and, during his time there, he received the prestigious ‘Keeper of the Quaich’ award for his service contribution to the Scotch whiskey industry.
David then returned to the UK to spend two years working with Coca Cola Enterprises in a commercial operations role.
David was then seconded to the Department of Trade and Industry to work as an export promoter, a role where he was able to utilise his drinks and marketing experience to help promote British agricultural, food and drinks producers to Asia. His various assignments included leading trade missions to Thailand, hosting visiting overseas delegations to the Royal Agricultural Show at Stoneleigh, and work with ‘Food from Britain’.
David’s experience has allowed him to undertake diverse consultancy work helping companies to market with new product innovations, ranging from dispense monitoring equipment in the beer industry, to new cellar cooling solutions for pubs. He has continued his association with the small brewer sector working with Purity Brewery in Warwick and a pioneering cider producer, Hogan’s Cider.
After four years working in Executive Search with boutique and niche providers, David established his own executive recruitment and career coaching consultancy, specialising in recruitment for the FMCG Food & Drink industry, specifically within Licensed Retail, Drinks Retailing, and Wines & Spirits. David’s company, which is based in Warwickshire provides a personalised, confidential, ‘people fit’ focused, placement service to some of the best known organisations in the industry. David is a member of the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC).
David qualified as an Executive Coach with the Chief Executives’ Office (University of Derby Accredited) and is affiliated to the National Coaches Register.
David can be contacted at: david.kelham@excelerateresources.co.uk
Website: www.excelerateresources.co.uk