30+ years commercial experience in the wine and spirit industry starting as a wine buyer including 10 years at Waitrose. On the Board of several companies in executive and non-executive roles. Currently Trustee of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust and Chair of the Awards Supervisory Board. Partner of Davis Bell McCraith Wines in Clifton, Bristol. Consultant to English vineyards. Interest in industry ethics: sustainability, biodynamics. Have lectured on a Wine MBA programme. Passed the MW at the first attempt in 1994 winning the prize for the best dissertation. Top Diploma graduate in 1992 winning the Rouyer Guillet cup. Vintners’ Scholar. Fluent French. Degree at Exeter University in French and German. Postgraduate course in London in French for Business and Spanish. Started my career working in France for Lillet Freres near Bordeaux and two years for Jas. Hennessy in Cognac.

Primary area(s) of work: Trade, Strategy

Industry sector(s): Project management, Marketing, Business owner, Off trade, Buying, Consultant, Wine tourism

Wine styles: English sparkling wines, Still wines

Wine region expertise: France, Burgundy, Loire, UK

Market expertise: United Kingdom

Specialisms: Sustainability, Acquisition of vineyards, Commercial advice on vinyard establishment, Economics of wine production, Marketing wine, Investment strategies, Financial and commercial structures, Routes to market, Direct to consumer, Supermarket and multiple retail, Independent retail, Wine tourism, Branding