Our Story

The Beverage Company was founded on the premise of drinking quality booze, thoughtfully sourced and consistently delivered. Our curated portfolio reflects this commitment, representing respected Australian and global brands across the beer, wine, spirits, non-alcoholic and ready-to-drink sectors.

The Beverage Company has a national reach, with a strong focus in the independent on and off premise trade. We have extensive experience and relationships with key national buyers, banner groups and a wide range of wholesalers. With the ongoing expansion of premium, craft, and the emerging alternative drinks sectors, we are fully committed and dedicated to continuously sourcing new and unique offerings within this ever-changing and innovative industry.  

As we continue to grow and respond to the evolving tastes of consumer preferences, we remain focussed on delivering impeccable pours in every bottle, can and keg.

Meet the team

Who we are

Craig Sweet

Chief Executive Officer

From broadacre agriculture of South Australia to the vineyards and boardrooms of Western Australia, Craig has built a career fuelled by passion, grit, and a very keen eye for opportunity. 

After relocating west in 2001 Craig launched his career in hotel and hospitality management before diving into the dynamic world of liquor distribution and brand building. Over the years, he progressed to senior leadership positions, including General Manager at one of WA’s largest wine producers and Sales Manager for Australia’s biggest independent spirits distributor.

When he’s not closing deals or discovering the next great drop, you’ll find Craig cheering on the Adelaide Crows (win or lose), or spending time with his family—the true centre of everything he does.

Karalie Jones

Group Chief Operating Officer

Meet Karalie – With over 20 years in the liquor industry, Karalie has worked everywhere from behind the bar to behind the scenes, giving her a genuine understanding of what it takes to build successful brands, support customers and create high-performing teams.

After completing a Master of Human Resource Management, Karalie returned to the industry with a passion for helping people and businesses be better than they were yesterday.

As Chief Operating Officer, she leads the operational heartbeat of The Bev Co, breaking down barriers, building bridges and ensuring our team, suppliers and customers have the support they need to succeed.

For Karalie, success is built on strong relationships, clear communication and always looking for a better way to do things. Her goal is simple: to make The Bev Co the easiest business to work with, the best place to work, and the partner of choice for suppliers and customers alike.

Our Team

SANKA KIRIWATHTHUDUWA

Chief Financial Officer​

Sanka is a card-carrying member of CPA Australia who cut his teeth at some of the world’s top chartered accountancy firms. Before landing at The Bev Co, he ran the numbers as financial controller for one of WA’s heavyweight wine producers. With 25+ years of battle-tested experience in senior finance roles—and a reputation as one of the sharpest liquor tax minds in the game—Sanka knows his way around a balance sheet as well as he does a fine single malt. A cricket fanatic who brings the same strategic thinking from the pitch to the boardroom, he navigates complex excise regulations with the precision of a well-placed cover drive. Whether he’s analysing tax legislation or appreciating a well-aged dram, Sanka brings unwavering precision and passion to everything he does.

Duncan Burrows

Regional Sales Manager

With over 20 years of experience in FMCG and the liquor industry, Duncan has spent the last 17 years leading and managing successful sales teams. He believes that building confidence in both his team and the brands they represent is key to achieving success. Driven by the excitement of every sale, Duncan is passionate about results and fostering a high-performance sales culture. He’s an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys surfing, kitesurfing, and skiing with his family. His love for rugby stems from his school days in NSW, and he’s a loyal fan of the NSW Blues, the Wallabies, and… a Dockers fan—well, mostly!

NATHAN mcquade

AREA MANAGER (WA North)

Nathan’s journey has spanned countless kilometres and postcodes, culminating in Perth, the place he now calls home.  Transitioning from a long and successful career into the food and beverage industry, Nathan quickly found his passion. From exploring wine, beer, and spirits to time spent in restaurants, his love for great food and drink is deeply ingrained. Professionally, Nathan brings over two decades of expertise in B2B Sales, Sales Management, Operations, and Project Management. His adaptability and passion for the food and beverage space make him a valued voice in this vibrant and ever-changing industry.

Paul Smith

AREA MANAGER (WA SOUTH)

Paul brings over two decades of industry experience, spanning hospitality leadership, accounting, and beverage sales. A genuine hospitality tragic, he’s driven by a love of the trade and the people in it. From managing premium venues in Australia and North America to building brands in competitive markets, Paul offers a well-rounded commercial perspective backed by real-world experience. Known for his approachable style and infectious energy, he values strong relationships, open conversations, and partnerships built for the long haul.

AMANDA BAKER

AREA MANAGER (SA & NT)​

Amanda is a trade warrior, relationship builder, and someone who genuinely loves this industry (and yes, she means it). With 20 years under her belt, Amanda’s done the full lap, from duty manager gigs in SA hotels to repping premium wine and spirits across some seriously vast territory. Most recently with Bacardi Martini, she’s all about growth, execution, and making sure her brands aren’t just on the shelf—they’re in the best spot on the shelf. Amanda’s spent years mastering the art of the win while staying cool through the challenges. She’s worked the Off and On-Premise, nailed pouring agreements, and built solid relationships with major groups across South Australia and the Northern Territory. Off the clock? She’s all about good food, great wine, cold Guinness, seriously good cocktails, and live music.

JOE SINAGRA

BEV CO CENTRAL TERRITORY SUPPORT & BRAND DEVELOPMENT

An industry legend and digital content and brand specialist, Joe has been the driving force behind some of the most famous bars in Australia. Recognised for his expertise, Joe has been named in Drinks World magazine’s “Top 25 Bartenders in the World” three times and has secured eight top 10 finishes in the Australian Bartender Awards. Alongside numerous accolades, including trophies for Best Bartender with Brookies Gin, Diageo Worlds, and Bartenders for Bourbon, Joe’s expertise extends into crafting compelling digital content and brand strategies that amplify the identity of venues and products in the ever-evolving drinks industry.

Lachlan Galvez

Operations & Production

Lachy brings the same high-octane energy from the sports field straight into our warehousing and logistics operations. As the engine behind our supply chain, he keeps everything moving smoothly—from incoming shipments to outbound deliveries. With his cross-industry experience now firmly rooted in the liquor world, Lachy’s got the operations side dialed in. His can-do attitude and relentless work ethic make him a key player in keeping our operational machine running like clockwork.

CLAIRE FORD

Marketing Manager

Marketing is an art, not a science. There’s no “one size fits all” method. For over a decade, Claire has specialised in helping B2B companies build brands that cut through the noise and get results. Brand identity is the digital footprint of a company’s culture; it surfaces in every interaction and determines if the market trusts you or forgets you. Claire grew up in a family surrounded by arts and fashion, and has lived and breathed creativity in its many forms — from the polished to the provocative. This upbringing gave her an uncommon prowess. She understands (and gets excited about) how aesthetics, narrative, and emotion influence purchasing decisions, even in industries that believe they’re purely rational.  Her approach? Design and market a brand presence that feels unmistakably yours, then build the technical systems beneath it — with SEO, campaign strategies, and automation workflows layered onto a company’s foundation to help them scale. “Creativity without structure is chaos. Structure without creativity is dead.”

COLLEEN BUDD

Creative & DESIGN

Meet Colleen, our creative powerhouse who blends meticulous attention to detail with boundless enthusiasm to bring ideas to life. As the guardian of our branding, she ensures everything we do stays on point while crafting designs that resonate. Her passion for producing top-quality work is matched only by her excitement for tackling the latest tech challenges. When she’s not keeping our brand looking sharp, you’ll find her unwinding with a crisp cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc or a clean vodka soda—because after a day of pixel-perfect design work, she’s earned it. Colleen is known for her friendly spirit, loves a good laugh, and always delivers!

JULIAN CATTON

Chief Technology Officer

Julian has spent more than 25 years in technology, and there’s very little in the game he hasn’t already seen patched or rebooted. He’s held senior roles inside the IT departments of some of the world’s heavyweight names, including Nestlé, Unilever, IBM, Morgan Stanley, HBOS, Barclays Capital and Commonwealth Bank/Bankwest, which is a serious amount of firepower to bring behind the bar at an independent Perth distributor. Along the way he’s built deep expertise across Application, Infrastructure and Cloud Architecture, System Engineering, hardware and software support, and IT leadership. Julian has that rare knack of making the complicated sound simple, the sort who can walk anyone through the tech without leaving them behind. He keeps the systems behind The Bev Co running as smoothly as a well-pulled pint, and he’ll have everything back online before your next round.