Our Team

Paul Barber is Managing Director and owner of the RRS Group, which includes Portsmouth Distillery and Stargazey Spirits. With over 25 years of business experience, Paul brings entrepreneurial vision and commercial expertise to the spirits industry. A proud member of The Gin Guild, he is passionate about championing premium spirits, developing distinctive gins, and celebrating all things cocktail-related. Under his leadership, Portsmouth Distillery continues to grow as a destination for quality, craftsmanship, and entertainment.

Ben has joined The Portsmouth Distillery team, bringing with him hands-on experience from running distilleries all over the UK. Passionate about the techniques that underpin distilling, and how those processes can craft complex flavour profiles; Ben supports day-to-day distillery operations and is currently helping with the set up of our new gin and rum schools. This curiosity extends to his personal life, where he can often be found playing with new equipment in the kitchen, and hosting themed dinner parties for his friends.

Hayley joined our team in late 2024 and has lots of exciting event ideas for the distillery in 2025 and beyond. With over 15 years of experience in hospitality and events, her background includes wedding planning, as well as working as a yacht hostess in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Her passion and expertise promise to bring unforgettable experiences to our distillery.

Fionuala joined The Portsmouth Distillery as Sales Manager, bringing with her a broad background rooted in hospitality and customer service. She worked in cocktail bars in Paris, London and Marbella before managing a busy city-centre pub in Brighton, later going on to run her own pub business with a full team of staff. Alongside her hospitality career, she has also worked in education and as a small business owner, giving her a well-rounded understanding of both operational demands and customer relationships. She now works closely with venues, retailers and regional partners to grow the distillery’s presence across the South Coast and beyond. With first-hand experience of life behind the bar and running a business, Fionuala is passionate about building practical, long-term partnerships. She takes particular pride in strengthening connections within Portsmouth’s business community and helping embed the distillery firmly within the city.