Cassidy holds a BA in Social Sciences and MA in Political Philosophy, neither of which were an obvious starting point for a career in the wine trade, which he joined in 2003. Cassidy is based in Mainland China and consults for several companies including British Airways, Mullineux Family Wines and Company Fine Wine. Outside of wine, he counts literature, travel and sport as his other passions. Cassidy was the fifth South African to pass the Master of Wine examinations.

Primary area(s) of work: Trade, Strategy

Industry sector(s): Marketing, Sales, Distribution, Agency/Importer, Buying, Educator, Consultant, Wine tourism

Wine styles: Sparkling wine, Champagne

Wine region expertise: Eastern Cape, South Africa, Western Cape, Bordeaux, Burgundy, UK, Piedmont, Tuscany, California

Market expertise: North America, United Kingdom, China, France, Africa

Specialisms: Production of sparkling wines, Economics of wine production, Marketing wine, Investment strategies, Supplier/customer relationships, Routes to market, Distribution, Direct to consumer, Food and wine pairing, Wine tourism, Branding