Siân and Andrew Brooks

Siân and Andrew Brooks are the husband-and-wife team behind The Gower Gin Company (Gŵyr Gin) - an award-winning Welsh distillery that combines craft, creativity, and sustainability.

Since launching their business in 2017 from a bike shed at their coastal home, they have built a brand that reflects the rich botanical landscape of the Gower Peninsula.

Their passion for gin-making stems from Andrew’s background in geography and botany, which fuels his expertise in foraging and recipe development, and Siân’s experience in business strategy and marketing, honed through her career as a language education lecturer at Swansea University.

Together, they oversee every aspect of their small-batch craft gin business, from product development and distillation to branding, sales, and community engagement. The team has grown to include Laura Gilbert as Distillery Operations Manager and their son Owain Brooks who runs their popular gin tasting events.

Gower Gin has earned national recognition, including being voted Industry Choice Distillery in the Gin Guide Awards 2022.

Sustainability and social impact

Beyond crafting premium spirits, Siân and Andrew are committed to sustainability and social impact. They have pioneered eco-friendly refill pouches and use 100% green electricity to power their distillery. Their dedication to environmental responsibility extends to sustainable packaging, a no-plastic policy, and sourcing ingredients from ethical suppliers.

Their innovative approach was particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they quickly pivoted to produce World Health Organisation-approved hand sanitiser to support frontline workers. Among the first UK distilleries to do so, they sold this online to cover the costs of free distribution to healthcare facilities across Gower and Swansea.

Future projects include developing new partnerships, new products in Zero% Spirits and Ready to Drink cans, and diversification into specialist added-value spirit categories.

Activities with Cardiff Business School

Siân and Andrew actively contribute to entrepreneurship education at Cardiff Business School. Since 2020, they have been involved in live marketing projects, guest lectures, and student site visits, offering invaluable insights into branding, product innovation, and sustainable business practices.

Their engagement extends beyond the classroom, as they have participated in ASPECT Innovation events and proudly sponsored the Academy of Marketing Conference Gin Garden, which became a highlight for attendees.

Siân and Andrew were nominated by Professor Carolyn Strong.