Guy is MD of Brockman’s Gin, an independent English gin company. Previous to this Guy was UK CEO of Mast-Jaegermeister UK Ltd, where he is responsible for the running of the brand in the UK.

Prior to joining Mast-Jaegermeister UK Ltd, he worked at Russian Standard Vodka as European Managing Director with responsibility for business leadership through the region including the UK. Guy has held a number of senior management roles within and outside the drinks industry.

Jennie Baernreuther is the Managing Director of The Glenturret. A spirits aficionado with over 20 years’ experience in the industry, Jen Baernreuther has recently been appointed the Managing Director for The Glenturret Distillery.  Jen joined The Glenturret from her previous role as Commercial Director of Speciality Drinks Group which included drinks businesses: The Whisky Exchange, Speciality Drinks, Whisky.Auction and London Cocktail Week, where she was incremental in driving the business transformation since it was acquired by drinks giant, Pernod Ricard in 2021. Jen joined The Whisky Exchange in 2007 to set up the B2B route-to-market business, Speciality Drinks, and her experience and passion for the industry is firmly rooted in the on-trade.

Ian Bray is the Chief Executive officer for Fentimans, a role he has held since January 2017. Prior to this, Ian spent 5 years as the Managing Director of Fuller Smith and Turner, a London-based regional brewer. Ian moved back to the UK for the role with Fuller’s from Geneva where he was the European Marketing Director for Bunge SA, a global grain trading company. Earlier in his career, Ian was a Platform Managing Director for Wm Wrigley, and he held numerous Sales and Marketing roles for Companies including Muller Dairy, SmithKline Beecham and Unilever Best Foods.

Neil is the Managing Director UK & Ireland for William Grant and Sons, the UK’s leading independent distiller and leading premium spirits business in the UK, with brands including Hendricks, Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Monkey Shoulder and Reyka. Graduating from Southampton University in physics and chemistry, Neil has extensive board level experience across a variety of blue chip FMCG and drink businesses including Exxon, Mars, PepsiCo and in the wine industry with Treasury Wine Estates.

Neil has particular passions for developing high performing teams and culture; for building brands globally and locally; and for developing deep partnership relationships between suppliers and retailers. A dual British and Australian citizen, Neil lives in Teddington and has a passion for sport, in particular Spurs where he is a long-suffering season ticket holder.

Over the many years of being part of the drinks industry, it has become clear that I have TWO families. My biological one and my SPIRITUAL one, made up from some of the most amazing people that I have had the pleasure to worked with in the UK. The Drinks Trust is like another family member who is there, if needed, for that extra support and guidance. I'm honoured that I was asked to be a patron, to support and create even more awareness for the Drinks Trust community.

Tim has been Managing Director of Asahi UK Ltd since January 2018, leading the team ( in total over 700 people) responsible for bringing exceptional premium beer and cider brands to the UK market, including Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Asahi Super Dry, Grolsch, Cornish Orchards, Meantime, Dark Star, and Fuller’s ales including London Pride. Previously, Tim Clay was Sales Director for the company (2013-18) and prior to that he was with ABInbev  from 1991  (Whitbread at the beginning and ultimately becoming The Budweiser Brewing Group) to 2013 when  left my final role there as On Trade, RTM and Ireland Sales Director( and UK board member).

Simon Difford has been involved in nearly every aspect of the drinks industry, from running his own off-licence and wholesale company (which he established in 1989) to importing spirits and brand creation. Best known as a drinks writer and publisher, Simon noticed the burgeoning cocktail renaissance in the mid 1990s and established CLASS magazine to capitalise on it. The title became the leading UK bar publication before he sold it in 2001 as the business moved online. Simon has since published cocktail and spirits books and remains the editor-in-chief of diffordsguide.com, the award-winning website providing discerning drinkers with in-depth information to help them make informed choices on what and where to drink.

Nicky has been at the forefront of drinks communications for over 20 years and is the Managing Director of Phipps Relations the award-winning food and drink communications agency.

She heads up Wines of Germany in the UK and her team handles campaigns for Wines from Rioja, Adnams, Lay & Wheeler, Marks & Spencer, Whitley Neill Gin, JJ Whitley, The International Wine Challenge, Koshu of Japan and The Portuguese Cork Producers Association.

Paul started his career in 2001 and has worked for a wide range of businesses from start-ups large to Private Equity backed multi-nationals, having set-up and managed headhunting and coaching businesses in the UK, UAE, South Africa, Spain and Portugal. Founding The Cesium Group in 2010 Paul and his team support the global drinks industry to solve complex talent problems: via headhunting,  developing and delivering leadership development and coaching activities, building or restructuring whole organisations and associated outplacement activities, partnering with some of the most iconic businesses and brands within our industry globally. Paul also hosts a podcast ‘learning from leaders’ interviewing drinks industry figures - discussing their leadership journey, principles and advice they would give to their younger-self with the power of hindsight.

Katy has been Managing Director of Flint Wines since 2023. Previously, she was Managing Director of Lay & Wheeler, and before that she ran the service development team at onefinestay, a UK-based hospitality startup, for four years, after a year at the wine sale site Lot18 in New York City.

She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and an AB from Princeton University, where she majored in French and Italian. Between university and graduate school, she was a Fulbright Scholar in Italy studying artisan cheese. She also holds a WSET Diploma.

Andy qualified as a Chartered Accountant in London with Touche Ross (now Deloitte) in 1990 and worked mainly in audit & advisory roles in the financial services sector including spells abroad in Australia, Eastern Europe, The Emirates and Malta.  

Andy joined Mentzendorff in 2002 as Finance Director and now, as Finance & Operations Director, forms part of the Team of three Executive Directors helping to manage the strategic direction and day to day operations of the business. Andy was appointed to the Board of Trustees in July 2016 and is the charity’s Honorary Treasurer.

With over 25 years of experience in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, Tony Watson is a seasoned professional who has made significant contributions to some of the leading drinks businesses in the UK and across Europe.  Currently serving as the General Manager for EMEA & Canada, Tony brings a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record in driving sales growth and strategic market expansion. Tony's career highlights include his role as part of the board leadership team at Carlsberg UK, where he played a pivotal role in steering the company towards achieving its strategic objectives.  His leadership and innovative approach to sales and marketing have consistently delivered outstanding results, cementing his reputation as a dynamic and influential figure in the industry.

Laura is co-founder of Club Soda, the Mindful Drinking Movement. Their aim is to help people drink more mindfully and live well.

Club Soda works with the industry to support greater choice in venues and retail for consumers looking to change their drinking habits - including developing education courses, a guide to low and alcohol drinks and research. 

She has over 30 years experience of working in charities, campaigning and the public sector in various roles including as Chief Executive, trustee and a Cabinet member in Islington. She was awarded an MBE when she was 30 for services to the community.