Ian Burrell: Equiano Rum ‘no longer black-owned’ after trademark dispute
Global rum ambassador Ian Burrell has announced he is no longer involved with Equiano Rum following a trademark dispute. Burrell (pictured), who co-founded the brand in 2019, said the development means the rum is “no longer black-owned”.
In a message posted to Instagram on 1 September 2025, Ian Burrell revealed he has “no longer [any] involvement with the Equiano Rum brand”.
While still a shareholder of Equiano Limited, Burrell explained that “the corresponding trademark was never registered in the company’s name but was purportedly registered by a company controlled by another founding director & shareholder.”
He added, “Therefore, I can no longer continue to represent the @equianorum brand and I have retained counsel in the matter.”
The situation, he admitted, has been “incredibly difficult and disappointing”. However, Burrell stressed that his passion for rum as “history, culture, community and a way of life” will remain undimmed.
From pioneer to parting ways
Burrell co-founded Equiano Rum in 2019, alongside industry partners Aaisha Dadral, Amanda Kakembo and Oli Bartlam to create a premium blend that connects Africa and the Caribbean. The brand was inspired by the life of Olaudah Equiano, an African entrepreneur, abolitionist and author who bought his freedom by selling rum.
As he told the drinks business in May 2024, Equiano’s “Legacy Blend Series” began with Ominira, a rare vintage blend of rums distilled by Foursquare Distillery in Barbados and Gray’s Distillery in Mauritius, blended under the guidance of master blender Richard Seale. Only 3,000 bottles of Ominira were released, retailing at £180 via Equiano’s online store and Harvey Nichols.
Speaking then, Burrell said: “The goal was to show that rum can look and feel as elegant as any other super premium spirit and to dispel the clichéd imagery of pirates, palm trees and plantations”.
A setback in a wider mission
Burrell’s departure comes at a time when he has been an outspoken advocate for clearer categorisation of rum by geography. As reported by The Spirits Business in June 2025, he argued that geographical indications (GIs) “strengthen particular brands” and help nations such as Barbados and Jamaica protect their heritage.
“The geography of any spirit can play a major part to not only the flavour of it, but its authenticity as well,” Burrell said, stressing that producers “own your value, as opposed to the value being created [by] somebody else”.
db has reached out to Equiano Limited for additional comment.
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