By accident really, I was working in Hong Kong as Asia Pacific Business Development Director for Allied Domecq Spirits and Wines Division. There had been a political coup in head office and a new guy came in and made the team including me redundant. I set up on my own for Market Entry strategy into China and Philippines and I started working on a long term project for Brown Forman Wine Division and Pernod Ricard.

Then I came back to England and started Intangible Business with my partner Thayne Forbes, but that is another story.

 

Why the drinks industry?

I wanted to get into brands and drinks brands appeared to me to be so powerful.  I had had enough of oil engineering projects and shipping containers.   I also wanted an international experience and global or international brands offered that opportunity.

 

How did you get into the industry?

I looked around a few agencies and started putting out my CV.  I had a number of options available including Lee Cooper, Rentokil and Hiram Walker.  The drinks job was the best of the lot.

 

What was your first job in the industry?

I joined Hiram Walker International in Wimbledon as a Corporate Development Executive and this office effectively managed markets and brands across the International stage.

 

How did you get your current role?

I created it, I am a founding partner and joint managing director of Intangible Business Ltd and this allows me a good degree of flexibility to develop my role and help shape that of others. 

 

Best thing about your job?

Variety, it is the spice of life!  We work with so many different industries, drinks, retail, fashion designers, lifestyle brands, great engineering brands. Highlights include the production of our annual Power 100 report; a study of the most powerful spirits and wine brands in the world. We have offices and partners around the world involved in this study and other projects. There is never a dull moment!

 

Challenges of the drinks industry?

Growth is a challenge in mature markets, new markets such as India, China and Russia are like a coral reef, there are areas of rich fishing but you need skill and experience not to run aground.

 

What don't you like about the industry?

It is becoming increasingly dull with consolidation.  The big international brands are in the hands of only a very few players.  This has the effect of strangling innovation as bureaucracy takes over.  It needs more entrepreneurial flare.  But you do get this from the independents but they only really surface in the US where you cannot own your own distribution.

 

What advice would you give someone looking to do your job?

My job is unusual, being a consultancy that services the drinks industry amongst many others. I would say to any young hungry person, ‘get as many life enriching experiences as you can, develop a commercial sense and learn how to adapt and apply your skills and experience in many different industries and markets’. Opportunities are everywhere if you know how to look and have that motivation.

 

What skills do you need?

Drive, a love of learning, enjoy being with people and understanding different markets, cultures and how to create business at a profit.

 

Who/what has helped you get where you are?

Meeting so many fantastic inspirational people who have molded, guided and help shape me and are still with me today.

 

Who do you admire in business?

The guys I am with today, they are experienced, love what they do, really think about things but above all have a great sense of humour and are down to earth.