New Zealand-based premium mixer brand East Imperial has listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Founder and chief executive Tony Burt announced on 1 July that the company has successfully listed with a market value at relisting of £30 million (NZ $59.1m) by way of a reverse takeover of shell company Bernele PLC. East Imperial has also raised £3 million (NZ $5.91m) of new funds by placing 30 million shares at 10p a share to finance future growth plans.

East Imperial was founded in late 2012 by Burt, former Chief Executive of M&C Saatchi New Zealand. Its range is sold throughout APAC, US and EMEA, with its primary customer base in premium on-premise. The company also recently returned to the Australian retail market, with selected products sold nationwide throughout Dan Murphy's stores.

Utilising the funds raised, the company says it plans to expand and capitalise on the growing global trend of premiumisation in the on-trade, off-trade and fulfilling the increasing demand for global direct to consumer.

It says other key growth drivers include building sales teams in the US and China, creating a pipeline of new product innovations, and continued partnerships with leading spirit brands.

 eastimperial.nz