New head honcho for the LWF

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 11 May, 2017

Hannah Tovey is the fresh face stepping into the role of event director for the London Wine Fair (LWF), taking over from Ross Carter.

As reported in Harpers on Tuesday, Carter will be stepping down from the role he has held since 2013 following the completion of this year’s fair.

Tovey counts creating Imbibe Live from scratch back in 2010 among a list of credits in the drinks events arena.

She has also worked at William Reed Business Media, Wilmington Publishing, Decanter and The Wine Merchant.

She will continue to work with The Wine Gang, where she has been helping to grow its roster of consumer-facing festivals and events until mid-June, when her successor will be announced.

Carter meanwhile, is leaving Brintex – the company which organises the LWF - to join events business Fresh Montgomery in July.

Tovey will officially take up the mantle of event director on June 22.

Tovey said she had clocked up “serious mileage” in the aisles of the LWF over the past 17 years, where she has attended as both visitor and exhibitor.

“For me, the LWF has always been unmissable. Professional relationships that can, and have, changed the face of the industry have been formed or nurtured there. It’s the springboard for exciting launches and the place where major deals have been pitched,” she said.

She praised the job Carter has done of “re-branding” the LWF over the past four years.

Bill Butler, managing director of Brintex, added that Carter would always have a “special place in the story" of the London Wine Fair.

Carter’s notable achievements include directing the show’s focus onto the independent and on-trade sectors, introducing a platform for niche wines and specialist importers and re-launching the fair as a domestic event focusing on UK routes to market.

Carter worked at Brintex as sales manager before stepping into the role of event director in 2014 – the same year that he facilitated the move from the ExCel to the Kensington Olympia.

His career history also includes experience working as a producer in New Zealand and at PLB as a senior wine buyer.

Tovey pointed to challenging times ahead as the fair prepares to adapt within a shifting political and economic climate.

The impact of Brexit, as well as rumours of rising costs at the Olympia and talks floating the idea of a change of venue, have all formed part of the conversation this week as Brintex prepares to forge ahead with Tovey at the head of its senior leadership team.

Butler confirmed his confidence in the new line-up.

“[Tovey] is one of the trade’s great visionaries, combining her immense industry insight with creative flair and strategic thinking. We very much look forward to welcoming’s her to the London Wine Fair team and opening a new chapter in the show’s 37-year history,” he said.

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