Gareth Lawrence, the Wine & Spirit Education Trust’s (WSET) longest-serving member of staff and one of its most respected educators, has passed away at the age of 69 following a prolonged period of ill health.
Lawrence joined the fledgling WSET in 1978 as general administrator and quickly became a central figure in the organisation’s growth, particularly through his work in education. His flair for teaching was evident early on. He soon began lecturing on the Certificate Course – a role that would become the foundation of a distinguished career spanning more than three decades.
Throughout his tenure, Lawrence taught thousands of students across the wine and spirits industry. His particular passion for the wines of South-East and Central Europe became a hallmark of his teaching, especially at Certificate and Higher Certificate levels.
Former WSET CEO Ian Harris, who worked closely with Lawrence, described him as “a very private man, and very quiet and unassuming until he was in front of a classroom, or an examination room full of nervous students where he took charge with great authority”.
Harris recalled: “When I became CEO of WSET in 2002, Gareth was the senior lecturer (as we called them in those days), working alongside Michael Buriak and the late Godfrey Spence at the WSET London School, which at the time was based in Five Kings House in Upper Thames St. On moving to Bermondsey St in 2005, Gareth embraced the new WSET Spirits programmes enthusiastically, quickly becoming one of the lead educators as WSET increased its portfolio of qualifications and expanded its global reach.”
Lawrence’s contribution extended beyond the classroom. He was invited to join the Worshipful Company of Distillers, where he took an active role in promoting education and excellence within the trade.
Even after retiring from full-time teaching in 2013, Lawrence remained committed to WSET, continuing to mark exam scripts until his health deteriorated.
He died peacefully in hospital on 22 July. His legacy lives on through the many wine and spirits professionals he helped educate and inspire over his long career.
