Carling Recruitment, a leading search & selection company working solely within the brewing, distilling, cider & soft drinks industries, has expanded with Chris Smart joining as head of business development.

Smart joined the team in August 2026, bringing more than 30 years of business development experience across scientific services, confectionery, brewing, distilling and soft drinks.

His extensive industry knowledge and commercial expertise make him a fantastic addition to the team. In his new role, Chris will work with clients across the global drinks industry, helping them get the very best from Carling Recruitment’s specialist services across a wide range of drinks categories.

According to the business, Smart is already making an impact, having recently attended the ASBC Congress in Seattle, where he began connecting with industry professionals and building new relationships.

He said: “I’m delighted to be joining Carling Recruitment at such an exciting time. The drinks industry has been a constant throughout much of my career, and I’m looking forward to working with clients around the world, building new relationships and helping them connect with the talented people who will drive their businesses forward.”