Gillian Murray helped steer the growth of C&C Group into a distributor with a national footprint covering 99% of the UK. Now, as its commercial procurement director, and newly appointed Wine & Spirit Trade Association board member, she speaks to Jo Gilbert about the future Acting as the bridge between a company’s buying department and its wider commercial strategy is a tall order…

A roll call of who’s who in South African wine is leading the charge – and surprisingly healthy returns – at New Generation Wines. Jo Gilbert catches up with MD James McKenna Commercial viability and social sustainability carry a different kind of weight in South Africa. Operating within one of the world’s poorest farming communities, the country’s wine industry sits at…

Online wine retailer Naked Wines, famous for its Angel subscribers, hasn’t had an easy few years. But with fresh leadership and a new strategy, UK general manager Emma Kamel tells Lucy Britner she is optimistic about the future. Seven years ago, Emma Kamel swapped a City job at EY for a career at Naked Wines. Over the years, she has risen through the…

Originally planning to pursue a career in aviation, Cara Lee Dely fell into the world of wine after visiting a wine estate on holiday. She joined Bolney in 2021. Here, she discusses the rise of English wine, potential for still, and sustainability in the winery. What is driving growth in English wine?There is a lot of consumer demand coming through – we…

Amathus Drinks was established by Harry Georgiou’s parents in 1978 and that same year, 18-year-old Georgiou joined the family firm. In only his second interview in 46 years of the business, Georgiou tells Lucy Britner about his ambitions, his life in drinks, and his stamp collection Harry Georgiou didn’t have a TV when he was a kid. To amuse himself at his boyhood…

“We really want to shout about the potential of the fortified category more, rather than always driving for lower prices and promotional activity,” says Mentzendorff’s managing director, Justin Liddle, at the company’s portfolio tasting in London.  After joining wine importer Mentzendorff in 1998, Liddle was appointed managing director last November, following a seven month stint as interim managing director.  In an…

Still Sisters opened its second gin site, in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, last November, complete with a working distillery. Co-founder Tori Jordan talks to Rachel Badham about the new opening and the future of high street drinks retailers We’ve always wanted to try a high street location. Our original one in Frome, Somerset, is more of a production site. It’s on an industrial estate, it’s…