User:Deanread/Steve Perez

Steven J Garcia Perez is an Entrepreneur and Rally Driver from Chesterfield, Derbyshire. He is the founder of Global Brands and owner of The Kick Energy Rally Team.

Early
Steve was born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire in 1957 where his Spanish father ran a pub and restaurant. Having left school with few qualifications, Steve worked as a trainee chef in his father’s restaurant. When his father died the business was sold and Steve went to work for Allied Breweries as a Technical manager. Disliking the politics that came with the job, Steve left the company in 1985.

Global Brands
In 1986, Steve founded the Global Beer Company with the aim of selling imported beers such as Sol and Budweiser. The pioneering business began selling to local pubs and clubs from the back of a van. Global Beers proved profitable until 1993 when a change in cross-border shopping laws allowed freer movement of stock. Steve was unable to compete with much larger breweries and the company folded in 1996, leaving Steve with nothing.

Undeterred, Steve formed GBL International in 1997, with a focus on owning his own brands that couldn't be taken out of his hands by larger companies. He noticed the popularity of RTD's such as Hooch and Bacardi Breezer and spotted a gap in the market for a more affordable alternative - VK Vodka Kick was born.

VK Vodka Kick proved to be a great success and the business grew rapidly, in 2005, the renamed "Global Brands" turned over £72m. The company received many accolades Including being named as one of The Bank of Scotland’s fastest growing company’s. Steve was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the CBI Growing Business Awards, as well as winning the Northern Entrepreneur of the year.

Today, 3m bottles of VK are sold per week and the brand is exported to over 30 countries worldwide. Global Brands are keen and quick to expand their portfolio and Import new drinks brands from around the world. New additions include Ypioca Cachaca from Brazil and Sobieski vodka from Poland. Global Brands also signed an agreement with Diageo, the Worlds largest drinks company, to distribute two premium spirits; cinnamon schnapps brand Goldschlager and Myer’s Jamaican dark rum.

Rallying
Steve successfully competes as a professional rally driver with the Kick Energy Rally Team in his many cars Including a WRC Ford Focus, Lancia Stratos and various historic Porches. The Kick Energy Rally Team won the Historic Championship in 2004, the National Championship in 2005 and Steve was crowned the 2004 ANCRO British National Rally Champion. After competing In the East African and Barbados rallies, Steve will travel to Peru, where he took part in the demanding 5-leg 2008 Incas Rally.