Meet The Team
The Wine Guild is guided by a passionate team of industry leaders, creatives, and hospitality professionals — all united by a love for wine and a drive to share it with the world. From curating unforgettable events to shaping the Guild’s future, each member brings something unique to the table.
Our People, Our Passion
The Guild is built on the energy, insight, and dedication of those who shape its vision every day.
“Great wine is nothing without great people — it’s the stories, service, and shared moments that bring it to life”
Damon SegalWineGuide101
Viscount Thurso is the Guild’s 3rd Chancellor, following Roy Ackerman CBE and founder Lord Montagu of Beaulieu. With a distinguished career in the wine and hospitality industries, Lord Thurso has managed renowned hotels such as The Lancaster in Paris and Cliveden House. He is Chairman of the International Wine & Spirit Competition and has served as President and Patron of the Academy of Food and Wine Service.
In politics, Lord Thurso was the Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross until 2015, later returning to the House of Lords. He also holds the position of Chairman of VisitScotland.
Tal Sunderland-Cohen, known as “The Wine Ambassador,” is a distinguished consultant, educator, and writer in the realm of wines and spirits.
A member of the esteemed Circle of Wine Writers, Tal is the author of Wine Trails of Israel and co-author of Alcohol and Cocktails: The Classic Guide, with numerous articles and editorials to his name. For over seven years, he contributed a weekly wine column to the national economic newspaper Globes.
Tal conducts courses and masterclasses globally on wine and gastronomy, including a master’s degree class in Wine Branding & Marketing, as well as masterclasses at the WSET and 67 Pall Mall. He hosts corporate events, wine dinners, and charity fundraisers, and provides wine and culinary training for diplomats. He frequently consults for wineries worldwide, assisting those seeking international distribution or promotional avenues.
Tal serves as the Honorary President and an International Magistral Council Member of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs and was honoured as Man of the Year 2018 by the prominent Eastern European magazine, Wino.
Nick Scade is a specialist in Hotels, Restaurants and general Food & Beverage operations.
A graduate of Westminster Hotel School, he started his career in hotel operations before specialising in Food & Beverage and was for many years Catering Director of the UK’s leading Casino Group, London Clubs International. He was also Managing Director of the internationally renowned Michelin starred Boulestin Restaurant in Covent Garden and Chief Executive and Managing Director of The Restaurant Partnership Plc.
He owned his own successful Restaurant, The New Mill, in the Thames Valley from 1985 to 2006.
He is a past Chairman and President of the UK Restaurant Association and the Academy of Food & Wine Service and is a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality. He was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 1999 for Services to Education and Training in the Hospitality Industry. Nick is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Distillers and currently Honorary Treasurer of The Wine Guild of the United Kingdom, Honorary Vice President of the Sommeliers Guild of The United Kingdom and a Trustee of the Lord Forte Foundation.
Julia was Marketing Director of Wine GB Limited, playing a critical role in further promoting the growing success of English wine producers. She is frequently published on the topic, and helped run the important Wine GB annual tasting. This key event is a chance to show the trade and its buyers just how far the British wine sector has come and why importers, retailers, and restaurant and bar groups need to find more space for them on their lists.
Julia was formerly the Marketing Director of English Wine Producers, in which role she was described as “particularly efficient” by Jancis Robinson.
Lisa has worked in brand marketing for 25 years, managing the marketing and communications for a high profile portfolio of drinks brands. Her experience ranges across many different sectors, including business to business.
Now a freelance marketing and communications consultant, she will oversee the digital and brand development of the Wine Guild’s activities, including development of the new website with online booking for events, memberships and the Guild’s events and education programmes.
Jill first discovered the Châteaux of Bordeaux at a young age but this love of wine took a few years to come to fruition, and she acquired a WSET Diploma in 2023.
Jill works as a Chartered Surveyor. She has also directed, produced, and created promotions for BBC companies and has a diploma in Nutrition.
Jill is a director of Drinks Cru Ltd, who organised the inaugural Volcanic Wines of the World trade and press event in October 2023.
Julie has nearly 30 years experience working for a prominent UK airline both onboard and in the training department, training premium service specialists. During a period of furlough due to the pandemic Julie turned her interest in wine into a passion by studying WSET Levels 2 & 3. This led to the opportunity to train bespoke wine courses to cabin crew to strengthen their knowledge and promote the onboard wine proposition, in addition to chairing the cabin crew wine society.
Away from airlines, Julie runs themed tastings and pop up restaurants and loves to make her customers feel as special and valued as those onboard!
Julie herself firmly says if she’s not reading about wine or educating others about wine she most definitely will be “researching” wine! She is delighted to have joined the wine guild as Membership Manager and looks forward to creating connections with members and being the “one-stop shop” for all things membership!
I work in design by day, but my other passion lies in food, wine, and the moments they create. As a member of the UK Wine Guild, I’m excited about building a vibrant community in London through thoughtful events that bring people together over great wine, food, and conversation.
Georgia is a passionate wine enthusiast with a background in luxury communications, currently delivering creative storytelling for one of London’s finest private members’ clubs. Her current role focuses on email marketing and digital communications, and she previously managed social channels for Richard Brendon, a luxury design brand specialising in glassware, including the Jancis Robinson Wine Collection.
Holding a distinction in Level Two of both the wine and spirit WSET qualifications, Georgia is delighted to be merging her love for the wine world with her communications experience to manage the Wine Guild’s social channels, support wider marketing efforts and better connect Guild members. Growing up in the Surrey Hills, she is a firm convert to English Wine, and is never far from raising a glass of English Sparkling.