A panel talk exploring different roles and routes into import, distribution and logistics in the UK wine and spirits trade. Magnavai Janjo DipWSET hosts a panel of expert speakers from leading import/distribution organisations.
Event details
Career panel talk
In the third panel talk of our online Career Talk series, we’re looking at roles in import, distribution and logistics in the UK. We’ll be discussing the different roles that are involved in importing and distributing the wines and spirits we all enjoy, to ensure that they get from their place of production to our favourite bars, shops and restaurants.
Hosted by WSET School London educator Magnavai Janjo DipWSET, our panel of speakers will give an overview of the many and varied roles that are involved in the distribution of the wines and spirits we find in the UK. They’ll discuss their own positions and other roles they work closely alongside and tell us how they got to where they are today. They’ll also explore the attributes and training needed to be successful and where to start if you are new to or keen to enter this area of the industry.
If you missed any of the previous career talks you can view the recordings here.
Who is it for?
- People starting out on their career journeys interested in what opportunities the drinks industry offers
- Professionals from other industries considering a career change
- Individuals already in the industry seeking inspiration to advance their careers
Please note that, as our speakers are UK-based, this talk will focus primarily on the UK wine and spirits trade. However we hope that the content will still be of interest to an international audience.
Hosted by
Magnavai Janjo DipWSET
Wine Educator and Importer, Founder of BAME Wine Professionals
Magnavai has spent his entire working life in the wine industry. He began as a Wine Specialist at his local Waitrose and subsequently spent the following couple of years selling wine to both the on- and off-trade, including a stint at Majestic Wine's Commercial arm.
His passion for wine goes beyond the academic, as he has worked through a few vintages in several countries, the highlight of which was making a private label wine. He specialises in the commercial aspect of wine and has created wine brands for some leading UK supermarkets. As well as being one of our regular wine educators at WSET School London, Magnavai is currently an MW student and also runs MJ Wine Cellars, a UK importer.
In 2020 Magnavai established BAME Wine Professionals, an organisation aimed at shining a spotlight on wine talent in the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.
The panellists
Regine Lee MW
Head of Operations, Liberty Wines
Previously a management consultant, Regine joined the wine trade in 2010 and has a wide range of industry experience. She worked at WSET for several years to develop their Asia-Pacific markets, and is currently the Head of Operations at Liberty Wines. She has also had roles focussing on trade marketing, education and sales. She has also had winemaking experience at Jordan Wine Estate in Stellenbosch through the Premium Independent Wineries of South Africa’s inaugural Women in Wine vintage programme in 2014.
Regine is a co-founder of Women in Wine London, a trade networking group which organises events to develop women professionally and provide a forum for discussing key developments in the industry. In 2018, Regine became a Master of Wine. In 2020, she was recognised as an IWSC/WSET Future 50 Award Winner and as a nominee for WSET’s Outstanding Alumni Award.
Sukhinder Singh
Co-founder, The Whisky Exchange, Speciality Drinks, Speciality Brands
Sukhinder’s parents were the first Indian family in the UK to be granted a licence to sell alcohol, that was 50 years ago. He started collecting miniatures at a young age then moved on to full bottles, today he has just under 10,000 bottles in his collection.
He graduated as a Chartered Surveyor in 1990, could not find a decent job and ended up joining the family business. He remodelled the shop in 1991, won Drinks Business ‘Off licence of the year’ and many other awards followed. In 1999 he sold the family business and started The Whisky Exchange. They started supplying on-trade in 2006, opened their first shop in London Bridge in 2006, started Speciality Brands in 2009 and launched The Whisky Show in 2009. The rest is hard work and time.
One further speaker TBC
Feel free to join with a glass of your choice! Let us know what you're tasting on Instagram:
@WSET_school_london #WSETSchool
If you enjoy the webinar, we would love to welcome you onto one of our WSET courses, all of which can be studied online from home.