“WINE IS A PASSPORT TO THE WORLD”

Authoritative marketing specialist within the wine industry
I grow wine brands by immersing wine buyers, the media and consumers in compelling stories from the vineyard, weaving in heritage and innovation to grow sales and find new groups of customers. I build strong distributor partnerships that exceed targets. My teams embody the spirit of the brands they represent. I have more than 20 years of experience leading marketing divisions in the wine and food industry from small business to national/international level.
Life today
Today I work for Fells. Fells is widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading fine wine distributors. 
I oversee the marketing for all Symington Family brands which includes iconic Ports such as Cockburn’s, Graham’s, Warre’s and Dow’s, alongside still wines such as Taifa, Altano, and Contacto, and in the UK, Hambledon Vineyard, the birth place of English Sparkling Wine.  Fells is widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading fine wine distributors.
– I create brand stories, identify compelling truths and find touchpoints to successfully build wine brands.
– I generate new business for wine brands in conjunction with trade marketing programmes.
– I am a team leader who is fun, dedicated and hands on with a unique set of experiences within the wine industry.
 
Life after the Wine Parlour
International Wine Marketing 
Account lead responsible for reputation and awareness brand building, independent wine trade engagement programmes, high profile wine tastings, consumer events, digital marketing for wine. WSET seminars and educational programme in the UK.
For the last two years I have worked for a marketing agency in London.  I work as a wine specialist. The largest client in our portfolio is Oregon Wine Board.  I have created events for Oregon Wine Board which are recognised and remembered by the whole industry. We represent Oregon Wine Board in a comprehensive way in the UK.  Engaging independent wine merchants, restaurants and sommeliers, wine bars, educational bodies and the wider trade. We work with all importers and distributors.
Direct reports : marketing executive and account manager
Life after Kettle Chips
Managing Director (Wine Importer & Hospitality business)
Importing wine from family owned vineyards found across Europe. Selling wines through our wine shops and wine bars, managing loyalty and reward programmes.
Wine education – wine school and informal tastings programme.
Marketing and digital marketing of wines in the UK through our on-line shop. 
During a ten year career working at The Wine Parlour, I gained huge insight and knowledge of the entire wine industry. I have visited vineyards across the world and understand all aspects of the UK wine trade today.
Direct reports : 2 x general manager, 4 x front of house team, events co-ordinator and marketing manager
Life during the pandemic
Extensive travel across wine regions and vineyards across the world
From 2020 to 2023 I travelled across Europe with my wife and our dog Fino.  We navigate by wine regions and vineyards.  We have visited many wine regions in France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Italy and Greece.
On other trips we have spent 4 weeks travelling across New Zealand, 3 weeks in South Africa, and 3 weeks in the US, also hugely influenced by our passion for wine.
Some of my most memorable experiences are meeting wine makers or finding vineyards randomly on our travels. We have made many friends through these experiences.
The early years of my career
FMCG Brand management and leadership roles
Brand management, consumer marketing, commercial and trade activations, new product development, packaging development, customer and consumer research and insights.
During a ten year career working for Kettle Chips I gained extensive FMCG marketing experience across the entire mix.
Direct reports : marketing executive and marketing co-ordinator