Now under the ownership of Chris Ashton, the International Wine Challenge is heading in a new direction with fresh energy, expertise and innovation and a reinvigorated awards dinner.
Steering the future of the International Wine Challenge, which now operates independently as IWC Events Limited, Ashton has already brought a new leadership team on board.
New appointments include Lee Sharkey (ex-Harpers Wine & Spirit and Drinks Retailing magazines) as Commercial Director; Lucy Marcuson (ex-Armit Wines, Lea & Sandeman, 67 Pall Pall Mall and The Drinks Trust) as Events Manager; and Adriana Lyon-Shaw (Drink Japan) as Head of Digital Marketing.
Ashton commented: “I am delighted to have been able to recruit a new team with a wealth of wine trade knowledge and experience to help me deliver my plans for the International Wine Challenge.
“The plan is for the Challenge to continue to evolve, building on its reputation as the world’s leading wine competition. Our vision is to expand our global reach and solidify our reputation as the ultimate benchmark for wine excellence.
“Some things aren’t changing – our rigorous judging process remains at the core of what we do. Each April, 500 judges from 40 countries convene in London to ensure that each medal winning wine is tasted 12 times, providing an unparalleled breadth of opinion.
“Our Co-chairs Oz Clarke, Tim Atkin MW, Jamie Goode, Helen McGinn, Sam Caporn MW and Peter McCombie MW very much remain as part of the International Wine Challenge legacy ensuring the most robust judging process of any wine competition in the world,” he explained.
Under Ahston’s leadership, the format of the annual awards dinner will also be revamped to enhance the experience for all attendees and better represent the wines, winemakers and professionals shaping the international wine industry.
The first awards dinner to be held in the new format will take place on 9 September at The Guildhall in London, and Ashton says he is delighted to be returning to the original timing of September.
“The International Wine Challenge dinner was always seen as the UK trade’s back-to-business fun and social get-together after a summer hiatus and a must-attend for everyone keen to reconnect with customers and peers.
“Our goal is to make the International Wine Challenge Awards Dinner a must-attend event for the industry. We want it to celebrate excellence while creating valuable networking opportunities for the trade,” Ashton added.
Further details of the event are yet to be released.