Desmond joined Wine & Spirit merchant,Seager Evans in 1967 – an encounter which kickstarted a career in gin that has so far spanned seven decades. After spending 25 years in charge of production at Plymouth Gin, Desmond joined Beefeater in 1995, the start of 27 years with the brand, and was named Master Distiller in 2008. Since then, he has overseen the creation of new expressions such as: Beefeater 24, Burrough’s Reserve Editions 1 and 2, Beefeater Winter Edition, Beefeater Summer Edition, Beefeater London Market, Beefeater London Garden, Beefeater Monday’s Gin and Beefeater Botanics. Desmond’s legacy is truly unparalleled with a suite of awards and accolades to his name. Most impressively, and perhaps the most widely known, is his MBE bestowed upon him by the late Queen Elizabeth II – presented by Prince William, the now Prince of Wales. In 2022, a surprise honour was bestowed by The Body of Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London, who made Desmond the second Honorary Yeoman Warder in history due to the special relationship he has cultivated over the years. Other accolades include: being inducted in The Gin Guild Hall of Fame in 2020, scooping the IWSC’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016 and The Gin Guild’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. Desmond is currently Grand Rectifier of the Gin Guild and was the recipient of the Helen Davis award for Lifetime Achievent at Tales in 2023.