Early career choices for Neill included acting (a starring role kicking leaves in 'Her Majesty's Road Sweeper' with Roy Kineer) and zoo keeping (sweeping up after elephants) that inspired a post-University job as a Microbiologist. The lure of wine however tempted Neill away from Microbiology and he joined Davy's of London wine bars in the early eighties where as a manager he spent the first six months sweeping the floor (rather like being back at the zoo!). He did manage a mini-break from wine, owning and running a small Art materials business that cultivated a love of travel rather than financial stability. It was then (after a brief stint at as a rock star!) that Neill returned to the wine trade and joined Laytons in 1991. Subsequent escape has seemed futile and Neill has remained with Laytons ever since.

A great lover of Claret, but at his happiest supping a drop of rare Burgundy, more specifically 1929 Latricières Chambertin from Domaine Faiveley ('First glass divine, second glass delicious but disappointingly oxidised by the third!')… although this certainly wasn’t part of his ration pack in all his 25 years with the Honourable Artillery Company of the TA! A family history in wine bridged the gap between his early days in the meat trade with a summer delivery job in London that ignited his passion for wine.

An experienced winemaker in our midst… Michael studied at the University of Adelaide and spent time in South Africa and New Zealand learning more about making wine. A love of Champagne lead him to L'Académie du Champagne and an exclusive, by invitation-only course by the 'Grandes Marques' houses to promote the merits of Grandes Marques Champagne (don't get him started on Pol Roger!). Even after such a huge amount of Champagne tasting, Michael didn’t get caught in the bubbles and subsequently headed back to the UK and has spent the past 10 years working in sales to corporate customers.

A lover of fine Rieslings and Burgundy, Charles first made his mark in wine at the Delatite winery in Central Victoria in 1991. On his return to the UK he threw himself fully into the life of a salesman working first for Anthony Byrne and then Bibendum before joining Laytons in 1999. Now fully institutionalised, Charles spends his time between managing the hotel and restaurants team, pursuing his interests in history (please ask about his fossil collection!), travel and dreaming of life as a farmer on the back of a love of gardening?! If it's food and wine matching you're interested in then speak to this self-confessed foodie for his texture tips.

Our London, on-trade expert Matt Sullivan has been with Laytons since 2001. It was winemaking (and drinking) down-under during his gap year that gave Matt his love of wine and propelled him into wine sales upon his return to England. If you have a drink with Matt you’ll realise that he loves ALL wine however he can narrow down his favourites to Riesling, Syrah and Pinot Noir. Married to Laura (a fellow wine-trade member) Matt enjoys travelling, cooking, growing organic vegetables (the new rock and roll) and avidly supporting Manchester United whilst he’s not enjoying yet another glass of wine with friends!

When Peter set out to study Business Management at Warwick he was blissfully unaware of the world of wine that lay in his path. Abandoning studies of accountancy in favour of a beer money supplementing, golf time generating job with Oddbins led to a love of wine rather than a handicap of one! After an enlightening six months in Nuits St. Georges (on bed, board and 100 Francs a month!) Peter returned to England to pursue a career in wine sales. A stint with Corney and Barrow gave him experience of the Hotels and Restaurants market and then after brief spells with Matthew Clarke and Michael Morgan, Peter joined Laytons in 2001. Six years later in-between time spent renovating, golfing, running and cooking, Peter passed his MW to make him a fully fledged member of this exclusive club.

Chris joined the wine trade looking for a career that never has a dull moment! From his beginnings in the warehouse, carrying cases for Majestic, Chris moved into wholesale and gained experience working for some traditional brewers on their wine side. For two years Chris worked for Vergelegen in South Africa (although it took him 2 months to learn how to pronounce Vergelegen properly!). Chris now lives in Pimlico with his wife, Cécile and Bert, their Lancashire Heeler.