The Boss – The buck stops with Miles. He is in charge of keeping members happy and telling the world why the UK wine and spirits industry is totally ace.

If he were a drink what would he be?….. A glass of English sparkling wine, sophisticated, sparkling company and enjoys a bit of friendly rivalry with the French (His wife is French!)

Point of Contact for other big cheeses aka the Board and CSR

Email: miles@wsta.co.uk

Mr Know It All (but in a good way) – Simon honed his diplomatic skills in Brussels while working as an EU negotiator. He left before Brexit became a thing. But his knowledge of the workings of the EU and beyond make him our not so secret weapon.

If he were a drink what would he be?… A negroni, very continental and one of the punchiest of cocktails out there (but in a good way).

Point of contact for

Brexit, wine importers and the rest!

Email: simon@wsta.co.uk

The Sheriff – In a past life he was Perry Mason of HM Customs and Excise world. An enforcer of policy and regulations. He’s the WSTA bod to go to on how to comply with the rules and let’s face it a raft of other stuff.

If he were a drink what would he be?….A brandy, noble with impressive longevity.

Point of contact for HMRC, logistics and fraud

Email: david@wsta.co.uk

Deputy Sheriff – She learned her craft in Trading Standards and now helps David keep members on the straight and narrow when it comes to the wild west of wine and spirit labelling and compliance.

If she were a drink what would she be?….A Red Dragon, a cocktail made with Welsh gin finished with a Snapdragon flower. Don’t let the dulcet Welsh tones lull you into a false sense of security, she gets fiery over GDPR compliance.

Point of contact for labelling, licensing and GDPR

Email: kelly@wsta.co.uk

The Doc – The one with the brains. Jen cut her teeth as Analytical Biochemist choosing to do a phd in looking at the health benefits of red wine. What’s not to like!

If she were a drink what would she be?…Red wine of course! A pinot noir with soft tannins, rarely blended with no roughness.

Point of contact for technical policy

Email: jennifer@wsta.co.uk

The Hack – Brings with her the good stuff that a career in Fleet Street instils and some of the fun stuff which makes people stop and listen to what the WSTA have to say.

If she were a drink what would she be?…A Bloody Mary, dial up the tabasco it has to pack a punch. Don’t forget the stick of celery to stir things up.

Point of contact for media, sector promotion and campaigns

Email: lucy@wsta.co.uk

Tigger – He’s the bouncy one who wins over MP’s and more crucially those behind the scenes in Parliament. Mr Fixit Freddie is all over it.

If he were a drink what would he be?…A pina colada with all the trimmings, the heart and soul of the party with plenty of pizazz, adds a splash of colour that will liven things up.

Point of contact for environmental and UK and Devolved Policy, campaigns and campaigns and the Wine and Spirits APPG

Email: freddie@wsta.co.uk

Mr Trade – Cool, calm and determined to keep the wine and spirit trade running smoothly. Every nation’s trade policy is his business. He’s the go-to UK wine and spirits expert who DIT and Defra turn to to put them in the picture.

If he were a drink what would he be?… It’s got to be a stout. A tall, dark no-nonsense drink with Irish origins.

Point of contact for spirits, exports and export promotion

Email: rob@wsta.co.uk

Bex-it (she loves it when we call her that!) – Bex is the one stop shop for all your Brexit questions. She’s done her time in Westminster and using her specialist skills in remaining cool, calm and collected she has pulled on her waders to guide members through the Brexit bog.

If she were a drink what would she be?….. Whisky on the rocks. Straight up and strong, no need to dilute it’s perfectly balanced.

Point of contact for Brexit and English wine.

Email: rebekah@wsta.co.uk

Neo – Tom can turn his hand to most things. He’s been made Drink Aware, moved on to beer and he’s now reached the dizzy heights of wine and spirits. Researching our data the numbers and somehow he makes sense of the matrix and out pops a press release.

If he were a drink what would he be?…..A Chablis. Understated, individual and complex, reserved rather than too showy. Sometimes smells of grilled nuts and crisp toast.

Point of contact for media and data.

Email: tom@wsta.co.uk

The diamond in the ruff – Don’t be deceived by her mild approachable manner if you put a foot out of line she will HR the hell out of you (can I still say that)? Gem looks after the WSTA coffers and keeps everyone in order.

If she were a drink what would she be?….A tequila. A truly impressive drink, you know when you’ve had a shot and you might even find a (book)worm at the end of the bottle.

Point of contact for

Membership, finance and HR

Email: gemma@wsta.co.uk

The Colonel – Jess plans the WSTA events with military precision. Nothing stands in her way of making an event a success. Don’t argue with her she’s got awards to prove she’s the best and their heavy bits of glassware.

If she were a drink what would she be? A rum, relied on in battle by sailors and pirates alike. Rebellious and bold and will always be on the winning side.

Point of contact for events, membership, design and IT.

Email: jessica@wsta.co.uk

Office wizard – Sam makes it all work. No matter what the problem Sam will wave her wand shout Expelliarmus and magically the issue goes away. She is loyal, patient, true and unafraid to toil a true Hufflepuff and if you haven’t guessed a Harry Potter nut.

If she were a drink what would she be? A Margarita, one of the most popular cocktails for a good reason. It combines the tang of lime, the sweetness of orange liqueur with the distinctive strength of tequila it’s a very happy mix.

Point of contact for PA support, website and WSTA database.

Email: samantha@wsta.co.uk