Ex-Campari boss joins Cygnet gin

Three months after jumping ship from Campari, Matteo Fantacchiotti has been confirmed as new partner and chairman for Welsh gin brand Cygnet, founded by classical singer Katherine Jenkins.

Only last week Campari announced its new CEO as former William Grant boss Simon Hunt following the resignation of Matteo Fantacchiotti from the position in September due to “personal reasons”.

Fantacchiotti, who spent just five months as head of the Campari Group, has today been revealed as partner and chairman of Cygnet, the Welsh gin brand founded by classical music sensation Katherine Jenkins and her husband Andrew Levitas.

The move comes at “an exciting time for the brand” says Jenkins, following Cygnet securing listings at upmarket on-trade establishments including Caprice Holdings, D&D, Tao Group, The Ivy Collection and Searcys. The gin, which features honey as a key ingredient and is designed to be sipped neat, is also present in luxury off-trade retailers such as Fortnum & Mason, Harvey Nichols, Marks and Spencer, John Lewis and Waitrose.

Speaking on the new appointment, Jenkins said that “in Matteo we have found the ideal partner to support us on this mission.”

Class and elegance

Earlier this year, Katherine Jenkins told db in an exclusive interview that “we want to be sold anywhere that embodies class, quality and elegance. That’s where I feel we sit as a brand.”

With a suggested retail price of £47.50, Cygnet is shooting for the premium end of the spirits market and intends to stay at the top. Jenkins also revealed to the drinks business that the brand had big plans in the pipeline for Asia, saying: “In my experience, Asia loves luxury and I think the quality of Cygnet will speak for itself.”

With Fantacchiotti having spent three years running Campari Asia Pacific before his appointment as group CEO, it could be a match made in heaven. He spearheaded the opening of new Campari outposts in South Korea, Japan, China, India and New Zealand. However, in July 2024 Asia Pacific accounted for just 8% of the group’s total sales.

Cygnet is not only going after Asia, but the US too, where Fantacchiotti has previously experienced some challenges in his former role with Campari.

In early September, Fantacchiotti prompted a sudden fall in Campari’s shares when he told an investor conference that US demand remained “soft”.

The company swiftly issued a press statement to “clarify” that his comments did not relate to only the Campari Group’s performance but to all spirits producers, and Fantacchiotti’s resignation came five days later.

Devoted gin fan

“After decades in the luxury spirits sector and as a devoted gin adorer, it was exhilarating to connect with the founders of Cygnet,” said Fantacchiotti, who added that he shares a common vision to “pioneer the luxury gin category”.

“I am personally convinced that the combination of our unique liquid credentials, Katherine’s commitment to developing craft spirits that align with the precise demands of her physiology and exacting design standards, and Andrew’s creative vision and influence will be a powerful combination to enable us to deliver on our journey’s ambition,” he said. “I am immensely excited about this partnership.”

Cygnet launched nationwide in September 2023, and the range now consists of flagship product Cygnet 22, and pre-mixed RTD Cygnet Welsh Dry Gin and Cygnet Gin & Tonic.

Named after a baby swan, the feathered symbol of Swansea where the Cygnet distillery is based, the number 22 in Cygnet 2022 refers both to the number of botanicals included in the gin and to the age at which Jenkins signed what was then the biggest recording deal in classical music history. Her first recording contract in 2002 netted her £1m for a six-album tie-in with Universal.

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