Liberty Wines announces winner of 2013 Apprentice programme

By Emily Kearns, Richard Siddle

Published: 04 October, 2013

Joanna Black is the latest winner of the annual Liberty Wines Apprentice programme that looks to bring in new talent to the company.

Black, who is the seventh recipient of the award, joins the company from Riverstation restaurant in Bristol and will now embark on a comprehensive two-year programme that will see her work two vintages, complete her WSET Diploma and gain the experience of working day to day for a major UK wine distributor.

Black was chosen from over 100 applicants, said Liberty's project director, Luciann Flynn. "Joanna joins us from within the industry and her incisive character, passion and enthusiasm meant she stood out as our candidate of choice. Candidates don't always come from within the trade, but when they do, they bring experience of their sector into our growing business and help us to understand better the needs of our customers."

She added: "The Liberty Wines Apprentice programme provides us with a great opportunity to expand our team organically. It's a big investment but one that has provided an excellent return over the past six years for us and the industry as a whole. It means we can help a more junior team member to grow and develop while immersing them in the Liberty Wines ethos."

Black said: "I am absolutely delighted to join Liberty Wines. The opportunity to develop and learn at a well-respected company is like a dream come true. I got such a great feeling walking into the Liberty Wines offices and I immediately knew I wanted to be part of this passionate team. They really know their wines and they know their customers."

Previous Liberty Wines apprentices have included Nicola Gutman, a City lawyer, who now manages Liberty's wine production business, and Tom Grundy, who handles sales in north London.

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