1 minute read
The Last Word
Q What do you do?
Chief Executive of The Wine Society, a business of 280 people and an annual turnover of £160m.
Q Who do you work for?
We are a Mutual organisation and the world’s oldest wine club. Founded in 1874 to bring joy and appreciation of wine to a wider audience and now a modern and vibrant retailer of great wine from £6 to £6,000.
Q Why did you join Herts Chamber?
We have been long-standing members of the Chamber and value being part of an organisation championing local businesses, communities and encouraging strong networks and making connections.
Q How has it helped your business network?
Herts is really thriving, with new established businesses, with strong cohesion between businesses and local government and the Chamber is an essential part of this cohesion.
It is always useful to develop a strong local network, learning from others and always looking for new opportunities.
Q What advice would you give someone starting out?
In today’s uncertain world, it is important to know yourself, be honest with yourself, and to develop resilience. Be curious, be passionate, be a great team player, and use failure as a springboard to the next great success.
Q What do you think is the biggest challenge affecting running and growing a business?
Currently, the cost-of-living crisis, inflation and volatile exchange rates impact businesses and consumers alike. For us, the impact of climate change on the quality and size of harvests compounded by inflation has made buying and selling of wine extremely tricky.
Q What support do you want from government?
Red tape, unnecessary legislation and bureaucracy is strangling businesses and yet more and more is coming our way.
Q How confident are you your business will grow in the next year?
I am confident and excited about the next year. Whilst not recovered, the economic climate is becoming more favourable, and for us, with our major investments behind us, we can return value to our members with lower prices and free next day delivery.
