Lanchester Wines is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of quality wines and spirits to the trade, successfully operating and innovating across every element of UK wine import and export. Founded in 1980, it is part of the wider Lanchester Group, which includes Greencroft Bottling, one of the country's foremost wine bottlers, as part of its family.I lead a team including head office based buying, marketing and sales support teams, plus 8 sales professionals covering all aspects of sales… Show more Lanchester Wines is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of quality wines and spirits to the trade, successfully operating and innovating across every element of UK wine import and export. Founded in 1980, it is part of the wider Lanchester Group, which includes Greencroft Bottling, one of the country's foremost wine bottlers, as part of its family.I lead a team including head office based buying, marketing and sales support teams, plus 8 sales professionals covering all aspects of sales from national accounts to regional business. My remit is to facilitate the development of the group's wine strategy and portfolio, both in Lanchester Wines in County Durham and in my own original business, The Wine Fusion in London. Show less

Founder, Co-Owner and Managing Director of The Wine Fusion, a dynamic wine creation and production house founded in 2008, based in London SE1. Alongside managing a portfolio of customers including several major national accounts, I am responsible for developing and implementing business strategy, creative product development and global wine sourcing across the business.

Working closely with Virgin Wines' CEO, Marketing Director and marketing, buying, merchandising and design departments, I have led, written, created or directed a host of initiatives at Virgin Wines encompassing consumer-facing email campaigns, website content, catalogues and brochures, corporate presentations, new product development, events and much more.

Working with the Managing Director, Marketing Manager, buyers and external design agencies to craft impactful B2C wine marketing campaigns, from single wine offer letters to lengthy seasonal mailings.

An action-packed period with a true pioneer in the drinks industry. Through Stormhoek - the first wine to achieve a global online presence through social media - and the ballsy Camden Park, Orbital Wines was seen as a small yet potent player on the UK wine scene. I was involved with the creation and evolution of both brands alongside a portfolio of many exclusive-label and agency wines from around the world. It was here that I was also first involved in National Account Sales, working on… Show more An action-packed period with a true pioneer in the drinks industry. Through Stormhoek - the first wine to achieve a global online presence through social media - and the ballsy Camden Park, Orbital Wines was seen as a small yet potent player on the UK wine scene. I was involved with the creation and evolution of both brands alongside a portfolio of many exclusive-label and agency wines from around the world. It was here that I was also first involved in National Account Sales, working on accounts such as Daily Mail Wine Club, Safeway, Tesco, ASDA and Somerfield. Show less

I was lucky enough to be part of the close-knit buying and marketing posse during Oddbins' golden age.

Supermarket management wasn't really for me, so after a period on ASDA's fast-track management trainee scheme, I ran away to New Zealand. A spell working in the Jervois Road branch of Glengarry, New Zealand's leading small independent wine retailer at the time, was a highlight. Involved with all aspects of shop management including ordering, merchandising, customer service, and advising on fine wine (this shop had a dedicated underground cellar full of it), all cemented my love of wine.

Archie Norman joined ASDA in December 1991 and set about trying to revive a near-bankrupt giant. His "Tell Archie" initiative invited in-store colleagues to offer suggestions to change the business, with grand prizes on offer. My "prize" for 20 pages of bright ideas on wine marketing was a posting at Head Office straight from uni, working with a small buying team under the direction of Justin King, who went on to become CEO of Sainsbury's. A baptism of fire in many ways into an electrifying… Show more Archie Norman joined ASDA in December 1991 and set about trying to revive a near-bankrupt giant. His "Tell Archie" initiative invited in-store colleagues to offer suggestions to change the business, with grand prizes on offer. My "prize" for 20 pages of bright ideas on wine marketing was a posting at Head Office straight from uni, working with a small buying team under the direction of Justin King, who went on to become CEO of Sainsbury's. A baptism of fire in many ways into an electrifying company culture, it was an early education in the commercial realties of the wine industry, as well as a tantalising glimpse into the art of the possible: the team was experimental to say the least, employing the likes of famous restaurant publicist Alan Crompton-Batt to bring ASDA Wine to a more glamorous audience. My key achievement was the creation of a series of in-store evening wine tastings, hosted by the effervescent Jayne Bridges, which went on to become a 10 year programme across the ASDA estate. Show less