Fidelity Imports UK is officially on the map. The North American distributor of boutique high-end audio brands has announced its expansion into the United Kingdom, naming industry veteran Jamie McKay as Managing Director of Fidelity Imports UK. The new division becomes operational on 1 October 2026, giving specialist retailers across Britain direct access to the curated portfolio Fidelity Imports has built in the US and Canada since 2018.
A New Local Base for an Established Distributor
Fidelity Imports was founded in 2018 by Steve Jain and Matt Hegt, two lifelong audio-industry professionals who set out to build a curated portfolio of “truly special boutique audio brands” for the North American market. Today that portfolio spans names such as Cambridge Audio, Perlisten Audio, Wilson Benesch, Matrix Audio, Ruark Audio, Acoustic Energy and Unison Research, sold exclusively through a carefully selected group of specialist retailers. Fidelity Imports UK extends that same model across the Atlantic. “The UK has a highly knowledgeable specialist retail community and a long-standing enthusiasm for premium audio, making it an important market for Fidelity Imports,” says Steve Jain, Managing Director and Co-Founder. Matt Hegt, CTO and Co-Founder, adds that the UK division gives the company “a strategic logistics and operational base in one of the world’s most important markets for specialty audio,” shortening supply chains and improving inventory efficiency for both brands and dealers.
Jamie McKay’s 25 Years in Specialty Audio
Leading the new division is Jamie McKay, who brings more than 25 years of experience in the premium consumer-electronics and specialty audio sectors. His background includes senior commercial roles across the UK, Europe and Asia-Pacific, most recently as Sales and Marketing Director for Armour Home Electronics, the British company behind Q Acoustics, QED and Goldring, as well as earlier senior positions with the D&M Group and Denon. Based in South West England, McKay will oversee sales, distribution, brand development and Fidelity Imports UK’s broader growth strategy. “Manufacturers increasingly want a genuine local brand partner, while specialist retailers expect meaningful support beyond product availability and order processing,” says McKay. “Our aim is to combine Fidelity Imports’ established North American infrastructure and manufacturer relationships with dedicated UK market expertise.”
Fidelity Imports UK: Launch Timeline and Capabilities
Fidelity Imports UK becomes operational on 1 October 2026. From that date, its capabilities will include UK brand management, selective distribution, marketing, dealer education, technical support, fulfilment and after-sales coordination, delivered through a deliberately small, long-standing network of specialist dealers rather than a mass-market rollout. No specific brand line-up or retailer list has been announced yet; Fidelity Imports says further details of its initial UK manufacturer portfolio and market-launch programme will follow separately.
Key Facts
- Fidelity Imports founded in 2018 by Steve Jain and Matt Hegt
- Fidelity Imports UK becomes operational on 1 October 2026
- Jamie McKay named Managing Director, Fidelity Imports UK
- McKay brings 25+ years of experience, including senior roles at Armour Home Electronics (Q Acoustics, QED, Goldring), D&M Group and Denon
- Based in South West England, overseeing UK sales, distribution and brand development
- Existing North American portfolio includes Cambridge Audio, Perlisten Audio, Wilson Benesch, Matrix Audio, Ruark Audio and Acoustic Energy
For more on the brands already in the Fidelity Imports portfolio, see our coverage of the Cambridge Audio Evo 300 streaming amplifier. Further information on Fidelity Imports UK is available at fidelityimports.com.
