Andy worked for Marks & Spencer for 32 years as a buyer, becoming a MW in 2011. In 2013 Andy left M&S to focus on his own business (Vinetrades Ltd) which is involved in education, consulting, buying and investment in wine. Andy is a regular wine judge and writer, and has judged for DWWA, IWC, IWSC, Bacchus and 5StarWines. He has been a DWWA Regional Chair (Southern Italy, Central Italy and Canada) since 2017. Andy is Contributing Editor to Decanter and is an active writer for the magazine, Decanter Premium and is the Retail Specialist for JancisRobinson.com. He also judges the Decanter Retailer of the Year Award.

Current employer: Vinetrades Ltd

Primary area(s) of work: Trade, Strategy, Communication

Industry sector(s): Author, Business owner, Buying, Broadcasting, Consultant, Educator, Journalism, Marketing, Off trade, PR, Project management, Sales, Winemaking, Wine judge, Wine tourism

Wine styles: Cava, Champagne, Cremant, English sparkling wines, Fine and rare wines, Fortified wines, Madeira, Port, Prosecco, Sherry, Sparkling wine, Still red, Still rosé, Still white, Still wines, Sweet wines, VDN

Wine region expertise: Aconcagua Valley, Alsace, Argentina, Australia, Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Casblanca Valley, Champagne, Chile, Colchagua Valley, Eastern Cape, England, France, Galicia, Italy, Jerez, Languedoc, Limari Valley, Loire, Maipo Valley, Mendoza, New Zealand, Oregon, Piedmont, Priorat, Rhone, Roussillon, Sicily, South Africa, South America, South-West France, Tuscany, UK, USA, Veneto/Friuli, Washington, Western Australia, Western Cape

Market expertise: Africa, Europe, France, Italy, Portugal, South America, United Kingdom

Specialisms: Branding, Financial and commercial structures, Food and wine pairing, History of wine, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, Independent retail, Restaurant wines, Routes to market, Supplier/customer relationships, Supermarket and multiple retail, TV, Wine tourism, Wine judging