Having studied business management at Warwick University and started to train as an accountant, I had a lucky escape 15 years ago when I joined Oddbins instead, a job chosen to give me beer money and plenty of time to work on my golf game. After 18 months, it became clear I wasn't going to make a living out of golf and had got the wine bug properly, so I got a six-month job in Nuits St Georges (bed and board and 100 Francs a week!) to learn more about how wine is made. When I returned to England, I got a job at Corney & Barrow in the City, selling wine to private clients and then also to restaurants. After brief spells at Matthew Clark and Michael Morgan, learning more about on-trade sales, I joined Jeroboams in January 2001. I am married to Elizabeth, an architect, and have a dog.

Industry sector(s): Agency/Importer, Buying

Market expertise: Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North America, United Kingdom, Germany, South America, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Africa

Specialisms: Supplier/customer relationships, Identifying and meeting consumer demand, HORECA, Independent retail, Restaurant wines