I'm very pleased to have taken up a full-time position with Decanter, the globally distributed leading fine wine title, which is read in 90 countries or more. My role includes responsibility for sub-editing and liaising with contributors to ensure accuracy throughout the print title, and working with the art desk to ensure the best presentation possible.While this is a full-time role, I’m very happy still to consider freelance commissions on an occasional basis.

Working with the Decanter editorial team on all aspects of the magazine's proofing, subbing and production.

Journalism, largely in the Wine & Spirits industries with experience in the Packaging sector too; Editing, Subbing, Proof-Reading, Production (InDesign, Quark); Features, News, Leader writing; Tastings and Competition Judging; Exhibition/Show work; general consultancy based on 28+ years experience in Wine & Spirits journalism and retail, and latterly in the packaging industry. NEW: Translation, French-English, specialising in Cognac and Armagnac, other distilled Spirits and Wine of all kinds – internal or consumer-facing marketing materials, websites, other communications etc. UPDATES:> June-July 2015 – SEEart Fair, Tunbridge Wells http://www.seeartfair.co.uk – Year 2: press release research & writing (reproduced in 'Verve' mag and 'Index' mag), drinks devising/sourcing/mixing/pouring, stand-building/carpet-laying, general consultancy.> Sep/Nov 2014: sub-editor at 'Decanter' magazine, London (Time Inc.)> July 2014: SEEart Fair, Tunbridge Wells http://www.seeartfair.co.uk – assisting with the stand-build and general management at this groundbreaking new art event in Kent, as well as press communications.

French to English translation: working directly for a major cognac producer based in the centre of the city, translating product histories and other varied material for use within the company's internal marketing and training.

Judging in new blind tasting spirits competition for www.TheDrinksReport.com / Paragraph Publishing (known for its 'Whisky' magazine). http://www.worldginawards.com/2014

Writing news-focused editorial both in print and online for a prominent international packaging industry title, addressing an extensive readership of packaging manufacture industry executives, managers and engineers throughout UK, Europe and beyond; managing website and newsletter content; production of two magazines monthly, Packaging Today and sister-title Converting Today. A steep learning curve in a highly technical industry, but it is fascinating to work in such a vibrant, vital and fast-moving sector where innovation is everything, and which is also giving me an increasingly in-depth view into issues connected with sustainability and the environment on a global level.

The newest event on the London autumn art fair calendar, the inaugural STRARTA (www.strarta.com) ran 9-13 October 2013 at the Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York Square, London SW3. The first of its kind to be held in a world-renowned, permanent museum space, STRARTA London 2013 provided a showcase for a handpicked selection of 29 leading galleries and five invited curators to exhibit the best of contemporary and modern art – both from young, cutting-edge artists and established names alike – in a new way. My involvement as editorial consultant came about through a personal contact with Guy Portelli, who happens to be both a neighbour of mine and the creative director of this new art event. While new to me personally, the world of fine art is clearly one full of dynamic energy and creative inspiration, and I am delighted to have been able to lend my skills in editing, copywriting, production and press relations throughout the months that led up to the launch of the first ever STRARTA Art Fair. Work included writing original copy for the website, press releases, biographies, exhibitors' manual, and introductory sections to the STRARTA catalogue; liaison with the designers, printers, photographers, exhibiting galleries and curators for the catalogue, and production thereof; and general editing and oversight of all (or virtually all) related STRARTA content. A rollercoaster it may have been at times, but most certainly worth all the effort to achieve such a highly impressive end result.

A stint sorting out the sub-editing, page production (using Quark), general tweaks and bits of rewriting of contributors' submissions at this major drinks industry title, under the auspices of erstwhile (here and at Drinks International) editor Patience Gould.

Another brief foray back into the world of retail, this time assisting in the opening of a brand new premium wine and food business in leafy West Sussex. The realisation that the demands and strictures of the full-on, 7-day a week retail environment were no longer for me acted as a springboard for the decision to throw my hat into the freelance journalism ring – where arguably it ought to have been in the first place. Pleasingly, said new wine and food venture is still going strong too.

Deputy Editing involved doing some of most things on this venerable old drinks industry title, and integral involvement with the various events and competitions surrounding it. Particular specialities in Wine – expertise in which largely explained my original recruitment onto the magazine; and, being a "details-man", the process of Production (coordinating with sub/layout designer, using InDesign) for both the main issue and special supplements such as the DI Millionaires Club, International Spirits Challenge (ISC) competition and results, World's 50 Best Bars and the plethora of regional and category supplements covering the Spirits, Wine and Cocktail sectors, notably for Cognac and Armagnac towards the end of my tenure.

Fate led to to my "big break" into journalism, when a limited contract job involving uploading data for the new wine retail website everywine.co.uk developed into contributing written material as well. The Editor saw fit to install me as Dep Ed (thanks Richard), and it all went from there. Latterly I was seconded by the publishing house to work on the setting-up of the 2002 International Wine Challenge...

Sadly short-lived venture, attempting to set up a new independent wine merchant's in west Kent. Man with cheque-book pulled the rug before we had a chance to get it going properly. Wrong site, probably; inflated expectations, suspect so. Nowadays in the town there is The Secret Cellar showing how it can be done, along with one of only 35 Oddbins stores that remains open. Never mind, it meant I had disembarked from the good ship Oddbins before it hit "the iceberg", and as a result I then had to find something else to do...

Formative times at the beating heart of standard-setting (up to about 1997, perhaps) and award-winning retail in wine and spirits. Gave me the solid bedrock of knowledge and experience – of product, management, systems, industry and consuming public – that puts me where I am today. I ran key shops in Barnes and Charlotte Street in London, with experience in many others, and latterly two in north and central Oxford. Many a tale to be told (such as can be recalled) – and one or two old friends now sadly missed.