After studying first Engineering and later Accounting at the University of Stellenbosch, Hendre’ worked for several years in the wine industry, followed by the hospitality industry, before joining Distillique Pty Ltd. in South Africa in 2014 as Training and Marketing Manager. During his time with the company, he trained close to 7,000 individuals from approximately 40 countries in the art and craft of distilling.
During COVID, when face-to-face training was not possible, his training sessions were recorded and made available online, significantly increasing their reach and student numbers, with the courses continuing to attract students to this day.
As Marketing Manager for Distillique, Hendre’ designed, sold and commissioned more than 114 distilleries across 14 countries. The vast majority were craft gin and rum distilleries, but he also trained, designed and commissioned the first Italian craft whisky distillery. His students and clients have gone on to win some of the most prestigious awards in the gin, whisky and broader spirits industries.
Hendre’ was also entrusted with establishing SACDI, the Southern African Craft Distilling Institute. In this role, he spearheaded changes to numerous South African legislative restrictions and helped establish new categories of spirits and gin. He also undertook the training of Excise inspectors for the South African Revenue Service.
In 2022, Hendre’ joined JIM & TONIC Distillery Co. in London, where he has won several awards in various spirits competitions and expanded the company’s product range from four gins to more than 38 products, including vodka, rum, agave spirit and liqueurs. He has also spearheaded several sustainability programmes within JIM & TONIC’s production operations and works closely with the University of Pretoria on the development of solar distillation technology.
Hendre’ currently serves as a Director of both JIM & TONIC Distillery Co. and the Marylebone Leisure Group.
We look forward to welcoming Hendre to this years event.
You can find further details on this years BWA Christmas Lunch here.
