Former AG Barr director aims to help soft drinks firm’s growth
FMCG industry stalwart Jonathan Kemp, a hugely popular figure in the Scottish convenience channel, is joining the board of Welsh-based soft drinks manufacturer Radnor Hills.
For the past 21 years, Kemp has been on the board of AG Barr as commercial director, during which time he led the commercial growth of the business and the development of iconic brands such as Irn-Bru and Rubicon.
Now as a non-executive director of Radnor Hills, he hopes to help the Powys firm grow further
Kemp is also involved with the Strathclyde Business School, part of the University of Strathclyde where he teaches students and conducts research.
He began his career at Procter & Gamble and worked for 11 years across a number of brands in a variety of sales, commercial and marketing roles, including the setting up of the first customer business unit at Tesco and the integration and UK launch of the Iams business.
Simon Knight, managing director of Radnor Hills, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jonathan to the board of directors and are looking forward to introducing him to our colleagues across the business.
“He has had a long and successful career in brand building within the FMCG industry and he joins us at a very exciting time as we embark on the next stage of our growth plans.”
Radnor Hills, which was founded in 1990 by CEO William Watkins, celebrates its 35th anniversary this year and Kemp said: “I’m really delighted to be joining the board as a non-executive director.
“William and the team have built a very successful, fast-growing soft drinks business through some increasingly well-known and great tasting brands. I’m looking forward to working with the team and being part of the next stage in the growth journey of the business.”
Knight became managing director of the company, which produces a range of still, sparkling water and flavoured soft drinks all made with pure spring water sourced from its boreholes, last year.
Its brands include Radnor Hills spring water, Heartsease Farm, Radnor Splash and Radnor Fizz.
Radnor Hills produces more than 400million units of drinks annually. It recorded revenues of £72.4million in the year ended 31 May 2024, up from £65.5million in the year prior.
Kemp announced last summer that he would step down from his role with AG Barr on 30 September 2024, although he said he would remain available to the company for a further 12 months.
