A native Yorkshireman whose career started at ASDA’s wine department in Leeds with Philippa Carr MW, who inspired him to start the MW journey. Subsequently he worked for PLB wine agency working with supermarkets, particularly on their own-label wine ranges and completing his WSET Diploma. He went on to spend four years employed by the WSET working with programme providers and industry groups to grow wine education in the South-East of England. Here he also completed the WSET educator programme and continues to teach Diploma sessions at the WSET school in Bermondsey. Currently he works for Boutinot, which owns Henners Vineyard in East Sussex, and also wineries in Macon, the Rhone and South Africa. Mike works with the independent wine retailers but also on marketing and wider projects in the business.

He has worked in vintages in England and the Adelaide Hills. He lives in Lewes, East Sussex close to many of the key producers in English wine and is a keen judge at many UK wine competitions.

Current employer: Boutinot

Primary area(s) of work: Trade

Industry sector(s): Sales, Agency/Importer, Educator, Wine judge

Wine styles: English sparkling wines, Still white, Still red, Still rosé, Still wines

Wine region expertise: UK

Market expertise: United Kingdom

Specialisms: Marketing wine, Supplier/customer relationships, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Importation, Distribution, Supermarket and multiple retail, Wine labels, Wine tourism, Training, Wine judging