Kingsland Drinks Group secures £65m funding deal
The Manchester-based, employee-owned drinks specialist lands £65 million Barclays-backed facility to support growth, innovation and expansion in the no and low category.
Kingsland Drinks Group has secured a £65 million funding package from Barclays, with support from audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK, as it looks to drive future growth under new leadership.
Backing growth ambitions
The funding will support the company’s next phase of development under managing director Sarah Baldwin, the former Purity Soft Drinks CEO who joined the business in 2025.
Based in Irlam, Greater Manchester, Kingsland operates as an independent, insights-led drinks partner, offering services spanning contract bottling and canning, product development, and sourcing and procurement for major UK retailers and drinks brands.
With roots dating back to 1955 and a workforce of around 400, the company has built a broad operation combining drinks creation with co-packing and bottling. Alongside its established position in branded and own-label wines, Kingsland has expanded its spirits offering and increased its focus on the fast-growing no and low category in recent years.
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The new funding follows the company’s move to employee ownership in 2021 and is intended to unlock further investment opportunities.
Baldwin said: “The past few years have seen some challenging times for the drinks industry and for Kingsland. We’re now moving into a phase of evolving the core business and securing long-term development opportunities. This funding will help secure an exciting future for the business as a pioneering force in the drinks industry, built on strong community roots where our people, heritage and quality continue to set us apart.”
Advisory and lending support
RSM UK, led by Ashley Suter with support from Jack Williams and Sebastian Knight, advised Kingsland on the deal.
Suter said: “Kingsland Drinks Group has built a solid national reputation as an industry leading drinks specialist. We are thrilled to have supported the team with securing a funding package that will facilitate the businesses future growth and innovation.”
From the lender side, Fiona Parkes, relationship director at Barclays Corporate, added: “We are pleased to support Kingsland with a £65m Asset Based Lending facility that provides enhanced working capital flexibility and supports the company’s ongoing growth plans. As an employee-owned organisation entering its next phase of development, Kingsland represents a strong new client relationship for Barclays, and we look forward to supporting the business going forward.”
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