Simon Powys MauriceTrade Sales Director |
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| A spell in the Royal Navy preceded Simon joining the trade working for Annabel’s whilst he pondered his future. A stage at Chateau Pavie and three months travelling France courtesy of a Vintners Company scholarship convinced him that there was more to a bottle than just alcohol. When not supping Pinot he might be found on the riverbank, chasing his first elusive salmon. | |
Neill McKenzieAssociate Director |
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| After early career stints as an actor, a zoo keeper, a microbiologist and an art materials supplier, Neill finally found his metier in 1991 when he joined Laytons. He has since built up an exhaustive knowledge of the catering trade and an impressive collection of tourist visas. | |
Peter MitchellAssociate Director |
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| Having started training as an accountant, Peter very sensibly dropped that when he discovered wine. Starting in the trade in 1994, he has been with Laytons since 2001 and became an MW in 2007. When not trying to fit useless knowledge into his brain, he is likely to be found walking Pinot, or with a golf club, chisel or spade in hand. | |
Chris LewisRestaurant and Hotel Sales |
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| Brought up in the Lake District, Chris has been in the London wine trade since 1989 and with Laytons since 2007. He loved his 2 years with Vergelegen in South Africa. A huge fan of the New World, but we have yet to see him refuse a chilled glass of Chablis. Chris lives in Pimlico, and is occasionally seen jogging in Battersea Park. | |
Robin JonesCorporate and Catering Sales |
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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. |
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Michael RobinsCorporate and Catering Sales |
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| Michael studied wine marketing at the University of Adelaide and spent time in New Zealand and South Africa learning about making wine. Now a big fan of the wines of Burgundy and Champagne, since returning to the UK in 2004 he has sold wine to the corporate and catering worlds, and has been working for Laytons since 2004. | |
Mat FrancisRestaurant and Hotel Sales |
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| After a career in print and advertising, Mat decided that working in the wine industry would be a lot more fun!! He spent 3 years studying wine making in Australia’s Hunter Valley, followed by a years 'practical' experience working for Sacred Hill Winery in the Gimblett Gravels of New Zealand. Upon returning to the UK, Mat joined Jeroboams, reaching the dizzy heights of manager of the Mayfair store. After a very enjoyable 2 years in the retail division, he has moved on to the restaurant and Hotel arm and is looking forward to the challenge! | |
Tracy TurnerCustomer Support Manager |
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| Tracy spent 25 years working in the music and video industry before coming to work at Laytons. Their loss was our gain, because although she is a self-confessed wine novice, she is an expert when it comes to sales and distribution. When not making sure your delivery arrives, she can be found walking her Mastiff Bully. | |
Ian ThornCustomer Support |
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| Ian joined the company in 2007 as a sales support operative and occasional bicycle courier. A music graduate, outside of office hours he can usually be found DJ-ing or pretending to be Brian Eno in his home-made studio. | |
Richard NashCustomer Support |
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| Richard has been working on and off for Laytons for the past three years while completing his BA, and more recently his MA in Sinological Methodology. Although somewhat unrelated to the wine industry, the standard of excellence he has maintained in his studies is visible in his daily work on the phones. | |
Chris PearceFinancial Controller |
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| Chris is a qualified accountant who has worked in commerce for 15 years and been with Laytons for 2 years. When not at work he enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf when given the opportunity! He is interested in discovering new countries and cultures and is enjoying the opportunity to learn more about wine. | |
Liana ClarkeCredit Controller |
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| Before joining Laytons in July 2009 Liana was somewhat of a jack of all trades having spent some time as a ballet dancer, cellist and personal trainer before finding her true talent as credit controller. Having spent most of her time within the automotive industry she is a novice when it comes to wine but as a keen salsa instructor and cook she can often be found on a dance floor or in her kitchen with a glass of Chablis in hand. |
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Charlie HamblyE Commerce Manager |
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| Charlie joined the company in 2006 and is responsible for the development and maintenance of the group websites. When she is not closeted in front of a computer, you will find her sampling the latest restaurant, exploring the Cornish coast or working on her backhand. | |
PinotCover Girl |
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| More of a lager girl than wine drinker, she can nonetheless be tempted by a bowl of New Zealand's finest. When not furthering her modelling career, she can be found chasing squirrels or sleeping...alot. | |
Laytons Wine Merchant,
7-9 Elliot's Place, Islington,
London, N1 8HX