Alex Robson is co-founder and CEO of West End Drinks, a truly independent spirits company.
An active supporter of talent in industry and in the creatives. 2019 saw her sponsor the inaugural Comedy Women in Print Awards Published Prize, created by award winning comedian and author Helen Lederer. And in 2021, as we come out of lockdown Alex is launching the Queen of Soho business forum, to explore and support fellow entrepreneurs from any walk of life.
Originally from the North East of England, she comes from a long line of female entrepreneurs and her upbringing instilled commerce and business knowledge from an early age.
Alex graduated in Economic and Social History at Bristol University and after a brief flirtation with the City, decided that a more adventurous and less conventional route was for her. This decision took her on a diverse and international career path which has included shipping in Russia, supply chain management in Holland and working on space projects for David Scott, Commander of Apollo 15.
Around about 9 years ago Alex’s entrepreneurial eye led to her spotting the potential for a renewed appetite for gin and a gap in the market for a high-quality and beautifully designed spirit. The decision to start her own premium gin brand was sparked by an epiphany over a classic gin martini with co-founder of West End Drinks and business partner Howard Raymond. Out of this ‘The King of Soho’ was born.
“Soho is about fun, gin is about fun – it seemed logical to us at the time.”
The King of Soho brand is a celebration of the life and Soho legacy of the famous property and entertainment mogul Paul Raymond, the original ‘King of Soho’ and father of Howard Raymond.
With this inspiration in mind, Alex and Howard got to work to create in an exquisite Super Premium Distilled London Dry Gin, which came to market in October 2013. Working with the best in the business they created a spirit for the senses in a bottle for the imagination.
Since its launch, the brand has gone international, gone into profit and seen yearly double and triple digit growth. In summer of 2018 Alex graced the cover of both New Business and Just Entrepreneurs magazines.
Vivacious and fearless with an unbridled passion for life, Alex embodies the unique character that thrives in Soho today – a place that has always attracted those bold spirits who change the landscape and pique our interest. She is tenacious and always the first to find the joy in life’s challenges.
