Young Leaders returns for its final edition of 2026.

Young Leaders is Fero’s initiative for ambitious professionals building careers in the drinks trade. The series goes beyond celebrating the industry: it equips the people shaping its future with the commercial skills, business literacy and career confidence to do so.

For this closing edition of the year, we’re bringing back the format the community asked for: Young Innovators. We’re turning the spotlight on the next generation of UK drinks entrepreneurs: the people launching brands, rethinking categories and finding a way through when the odds say they shouldn’t.

It’s a good moment to be asking what is and isn’t working in wine trade and what can be learnt from other catergories. RTDs remain the one major alcohol category still expected to grow in 2026. The lesson isn’t really about the liquid. It’s about how spirits and RTD brands are building: leaning into convenience, flexible formats and direct, often playful engagement with younger drinkers, at exactly the moment wine is still working out how to talk to that same audience. That’s a masterclass wine’s next generation can’t afford to ignore.

Meet the speakers

Will Maddocks, co-founder of Hama Rum

Hama is a premium white rum distilled in Jamaica, built on a simple pitch: zero additives and zero sugar. The brand has grown from its Signature rum into a wider range, including Madagascan Vanilla and Berry infusions. Will will talk through what it takes to build a premium spirits brand from scratch and carve out space in a category long dominated by established names.

James Smith, co-founder of Arrowtown Drinks

Arrowtown makes all-natural, low-sugar vodka soda RTDs, and has moved from an online launch to listings with Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Amazon, alongside specialists like Master of Malt. Every can sold stops two plastic bottles reaching the ocean, a mission that sits at the heart of the brand. James will share what it took to go from new entrant to nationwide supermarket shelves in a fast-moving, crowded category.

What to expect

An honest conversation about what it actually takes to build a drinks brand from nothing in this market: raising early capital, landing a first major listing, pricing for a squeezed consumer and standing out as the category crowds. Our speakers will share the calls that worked, the ones that didn’t and what they’d tell themselves at the start.

If you’re building a brand, trying to break into a new category or just want a clearer read on where the industry’s heading, this is the edition for you.

RSVP now to secure your spot.