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WaverleyTBS's Neil Bruce's leaders for 2010

Published:  31 December, 2009

 

Neil Bruce, wine director, WaverleyTBS on who he sees are the main drinks figures and issues for 2010.

 

Neil Bruce, wine director, WaverleyTBS on who he sees are the main drinks figures and issues for 2010.

Who do you see as being the leading figures in the UK drinks industry and why?
Dan Jago: because of the sheer market share and consumer reach Tesco enjoys.
Steve Lewis: because Majestic hold the key to wine specialist retailing, unless Simon Ballie can turn Oddbins around.
Cristian Lopez: because Chile could overtake Australia in overall importance. Although Don C has just moved back to Chile, he is one watch, has strong experience of the UK market and most of what CYT does is industry leading.
Whoever is Chancellor in 2010/2011: because of the power they have to tax, punitively, the majority for the sins of the minority.

Who have been your biggest influencers?
John Ratcliffe: I count myself lucky he was my boss at Seagram and been a mentor ever since.
Dan Jago: hired me at Bibendum and been a mentor ever since.
Anne-Marie Bostock: I had great respect for her when I was selling into Tesco years ago and she recommended me to Bibendum. Also because she fought her way up from a relatively junior level and achieved success in a male dominated wine business.
Phil Shaw: the first winemaker I had a lot of exposure to and a benchmark for all others.
Jancis Robinson: the impartial voice of authority.

Who do you see as being the stars of the future and why?
Steve Webber at De Bortoli: is showing that Australia, elegance and subtlety can all be found in the same tasting notes.
John, Dan and Cristian are one's to watch as above.
Whoever controls, in the medium to long term, UK bottling.
Victoria Moore: credible wine writer for the modern generation.
The off-spring of Jean-Charles Boisset and Gina Gallo?

What is the biggest leadership challenge facing the drinks industry in 2010?
Big Brother politics, legislation and the majority being taxed for the sins of the minority. Lack of a joined up approach within the drinks industry - because the various drinks categories have differing agendas.

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