After nine years as a British Diplomat with postings in Europe, West Africa and South East Asia, I decided to indulge my lifelong passion for wine. I then completed the OIV International Diploma in Wine Management, Economy and Marketing. Following that I joined the fledgling founders of ChateauOnline as part of the management team which rapidly developed the company into one of Europe’s leading online wine merchants. Six years later and following a spell as Commercial and Marketing Director with Seguin Moreau, I launched my own wine sales and marketing consultancy; Jump Start. In 2006, together with renown fine wine expert and writer, John Stimpfig, I set up the corporate wine events company, Taste-In. Since April 2008, I have also undertaken a part-time role as CEO of The International Wine Clubs Association, a trade association of specialists in direct wine sales and marketing.