Chris Drummond

Catch Chris on DO Radio: It's Not About Trees with John Lunn from 05 to 12 July 2026.

Chris Drummond is the founder of Allkin, a pioneering brewery and hospitality business built around the belief that sustainability and commercial success should go hand in hand.

Originally trained as an engineer, Chris spent 17 years in his family business, rising to Managing Director while leading its transition towards renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable building technologies.

His entrepreneurial journey took an unexpected turn when he left engineering to launch a brewery designed from the ground up to operate as sustainably as possible. That vision was tested to its limits when the original brewery was destroyed by a lightning strike, forcing Chris and his family to rebuild almost from scratch.

Supported by an extraordinary community of customers, supporters and investors, Allkin has emerged with an even bolder ambition: to create a brewery that generates its own renewable energy, reuses waste streams, supports local producers and demonstrates that environmental sustainability can also strengthen business resilience.

Today, Chris is passionate about reimagining hospitality as an experience built around connection, belonging and local impact.

His work explores how businesses can become more resilient through renewable energy, circular thinking and stronger communities, while proving that doing better for people and planet can also make sound commercial sense.

Do Radio Show Notes

05 - 12 July, It's Not About trees with John Lunn

In this episode, John Lunn speaks with Chris Drummond, founder of Allkin, about building a business where sustainability, community and commercial success work hand in hand.

Chris reflects on his journey from engineering into brewing, driven by a desire to create a business that could demonstrate how renewable energy, circular thinking and local collaboration can strengthen both the environment and the bottom line.

The conversation explores the devastating fire that destroyed his original brewery and the extraordinary community response that helped make rebuilding possible. Rather than simply replacing what had been lost, Chris chose to rethink the entire business—designing a brewery powered by renewable energy, reusing waste streams and creating a model built around resilience and long-term value.

A central theme is the changing nature of hospitality. Chris argues that people increasingly seek experiences and connection rather than simply products, creating opportunities for businesses that place community and belonging at the heart of what they do.

Looking ahead, he is optimistic about the role technology, collaboration and local energy systems can play in creating more sustainable businesses. His message is simple: sustainability is no longer just good for the planet—it is becoming essential for building stronger, more resilient organisations.