The Next Round: What happens after you change your drinking?

NLM London Speakers, Buyers and Investors

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Aaron Newell

Aaron is a specialist intellectual property solicitor and partner in J A Kemp’s Trade Marks & Designs Group. He has a very international outlook being qualified to practice law in the UK, Ireland, Canada and Australia. His practice involves all things related to trade marks and brand protection, as well as dealing with domain name and other internet-related issues, and both domestic and international IP disputes. Aaron has spearheaded worldwide trade mark clearance projects for both brand owners and creative agencies, helping with risk-management and positioning brands for growth from early stages, managing legal budgets big and small. He will be available for one-to-one discussions on IP strategy.

Aidy Smith

Aidy Smith is an award-winning broadcaster, journalist, content creator and speaker specialising in drinks, food, travel, lifestyle, LGBTQIA+ and neurodiversity.

In 2018 he created the multi-award-winning drinks-travel series, The Three Drinkers which has 3 seasons airing on Amazon Prime in 100+ countries and 10+ languages as well as on a number of airlines. Aidy writes a regular drinks column and serves as LGBTQIA+ travel specialist for The Independent, while also appearing on Times Radio, Virgin Radio and BBC Radio London with his permanent ‘Thirsty Thursdays’ segment.

As one of a tiny handful of TV presenters globally with Tourette Syndrome and ADHD, Aidy is a leading voice in neurodivergence awareness. He has been shortlisted for the ‘Positive Role Model Award’ at this year’s National Diversity Awards, ranked #5 in the ‘Top 100 Most Influential People in the Drinks Industry’ (2024), and crowned ‘Man of the Year’ at the 2025 Drinks Business Awards. He also founded DRINKLUSIVE, the world’s first mentorship programme for underrepresented drinks writers and creators.

Known for his playful yet insightful approach, Aidy’s drinks discovery content has made him one of the most loved and followed personalities in the digital drinks space.

Al Baker

Al Baker is Co-Founder & CEO of Infinity Blue Group, helping brands scale globally through marketplaces, DTC services, social commerce, and retail. With senior roles in fashion, e-commerce, and brand strategy, he brings deep expertise in digital growth, retail expansion, and international market entry.

Alex Viol

DipWSET certified sommelier and co-founder of Vino Zero (UK) and Somm Zero (Canada), focused on import/distribution in both markets – landing products, building brands, training teams and pouring the good stuff!

Amanda Kurylowski

Amanda is Head of Category Development for Heineken UK where she leads the creation and execution of Category Growth Strategy for the Off-Trade working with retailers across Grocery, Convenience and Discounter channels.

A self-confessed ‘Category-lifer’, Amanda kicked off her career in Field Sales at Kelloggs, quickly discovering a knack for turning data into compelling stories. Fast forward twenty years, and her love for FMCG has taken her on a journey through cereals, yoghurts, biscuits,
and beer, with category leadership roles at Kelloggs, Müller Dairy, pladis and Heineken along the way.

Amanda’s real energy comes from driving change—she’s all about consumer-centric thinking, sparking fresh ideas, and creating strategies that make a genuine difference for customers and brands alike.

Amy Lupton

Amy Lupton is the MD of PB Creative, an independent brand and strategy agency that creates brands with soul. Known for bold thinking and strategic creative, PB Creative helps brands – whether global icons or challengers – stand out, connect, and stay relevant and ultimately deliver impact.

With deep expertise in branding and consumer trends, Amy understands how design shapes perception and drives behaviour. As the no/lo category continues to evolve, she brings a sharp, no-nonsense perspective on how brands can carve out a meaningful space and win over consumers.

Anna Chalov

Anna Chalov is co-founder of Bemuse, a UK maker of natural, non-alcoholic mead launched in 2021. With a mission rooted in sustainability, ethical values and taste, she’s been recognised among Telegraph & NatWest’s Top 10 Highly Commended Female Entrepreneurs to Watch.

Annabelle Bonus

An experienced social researcher with a record of applying behavioural science to policy problems, and running and designing robust randomised controlled trials.

Annabelle joined Drinkaware in 2020 and leads our research team.

She is an experienced social researcher with a track record of applying behavioural science to policy problems; and of running and designing robust randomised controlled trials.

She joins Drinkaware from Ofgem, where she led ground breaking trials to uncover what works in increasing engagement in the domestic energy market, and was part of a team awarded the 2019 Behavioural Exchange Award for Outstanding Research.

Before then, she worked in the Department of Health’s Behavioural Insight Team, focussing on robust evaluations of innovative ways to improve health outcomes, including increasing attendance at NHS Health Checks, which won the UK Government’s annual Social Research Award in 2014.

Andrea Mellado

Founder of The Blue Dolphin Store, alcohol-free drinks retailer & distributor based in Barcelona (Spain)

Annabelle Bonus

An experienced social researcher with a record of applying behavioural science to policy problems, and running and designing robust randomised controlled trials.

Annabelle joined Drinkaware in 2020 and leads our research team.

She is an experienced social researcher with a track record of applying behavioural science to policy problems; and of running and designing robust randomised controlled trials.

She joins Drinkaware from Ofgem, where she led ground breaking trials to uncover what works in increasing engagement in the domestic energy market, and was part of a team awarded the 2019 Behavioural Exchange Award for Outstanding Research.

Before then, she worked in the Department of Health’s Behavioural Insight Team, focussing on robust evaluations of innovative ways to improve health outcomes, including increasing attendance at NHS Health Checks, which won the UK Government’s annual Social Research Award in 2014.

Anthony Wilson

Anthony Wilson has been at the forefront of drinks innovation for over 14 years, creating world-class liquids across gin, vodka, whisky, tequila, bourbon, rum, liqueurs, RTDs, flavoured malt beverages, creams and, most notably, alcohol-free and mid-strength drinks. With a BSc in Food Science and Technology and a career spanning Diageo’s Innovation R&D team, Anthony has developed a unique expertise in turning bold ideas into commercially viable products.

During his time leading R&D for Diageo’s Futures Team, including Distill Ventures, he worked directly with entrepreneurs to bring new spirits brands to market. He also spent more than three years with Diageo’s Global Licensing team, extending household names such as Guinness, Baileys, and Captain Morgan into new food and beverage categories.

As Founder and Technical Director of Alkemista, Anthony has been instrumental in the development of a huge number of the alcohol-free and mid-strength spirits now seen in the UK, Europe and the US. Widely regarded as a creative “liquid wizard,” Anthony is one of the quiet forces behind the sector’s most successful and pioneering brands.

Passionate about innovation, he thrives on making ideas tangible through prototyping, bridging the gap between science, creativity, and commercial success to shape the future of the drinks industry.


Arshia Bhatnagar

Bhangra Blends is the UK’s first South Asian-inspired ready-to-drink cocktails & mocktails brand, founded by two young South Asian women. Launched in 2025, our mission is to bring bold, nostalgic flavours into premium, inclusive drinks that celebrate culture.

We have a range of 2 cocktails and 2 mocktails, our mocktails have quickly become fan favourites, offering a healthier, natural, and exciting alternative to standard soft drinks. With no added sugar, no artificial sweeteners, and all-natural ingredients, they deliver the same premium experience as our cocktails while being completely alcohol-free.
We’re already stocked in 17+ restaurants, pubs, and retail stores across London, driving sales uplift and guest engagement, and we’re rapidly expanding into events and new venues across the UK.

Ben Sedgwick

Drinks Buyer at Fuller, Smith & Turner

Blake Gladman

Blake has worked in research & insights for 20 years. He started his career at Kantar before joining Lumina Intelligence in 2009. Blake has worked across all areas of research and insights and has led the development of new products, content and marketing. He joined KAM, as a partner, in 2018 to drive forward their expertise in delivering market-leading research and insight-led products.

Brad Crompton

Brad Crompton is the Co-Founder of Session Spirit, the premium mid-strength spirit brand. He’s also the Editor of The Session Magazine, a trade publication that celebrates the people behind the brands changing the game.

Brendan Williams

Brendan Williams is the CEO & co-founder of Paradoxx Drinks Ltd. which makes NuWave, a mood enhancing, alcohol-free beer.
He has more than 20 years of experience in the drinks industry gained with Carlsberg, Asahi, SABMiller, Coca-Cola and Fosters Group.
Within the last 10 years Brendan has held senior global (Carlsberg), regional (SABMiller) and national (Asahi) marketing leadership positions.

Brendan most recently led The Free Consultancy, an alcohol-free marketing consultancy. He was the Managing Director of Sentia mood-enhancing AF spirits, a TFC client in 2022/23. Brendan’s last corporate role was as the Global Marketing Director of Alcohol Free for Carlsberg where he developed the highly successful global alcohol-free strategy & coordinated the winning execution in 40+ markets around the world.

Camille Vidal

Founder of the mindful drinking brand and creative consultancy La Maison Wellness, Camille has spent her career as a consultant and global brand ambassador most notably for St- Germain and the Bacardi family of brands.

Caroline Thomson-Hill

With two decades of experience in the drinks industry across commercial and marketing roles, Caroline now has responsibility for the M&S award-winning BWS (and no&lo!) range. Caroline was previously Managing Director for Accolade Wines in Europe, prioritising customers, consumers and culture. Before joining Accolade Wines, Caroline worked at Treasury Wine Estates and Diageo across the Europe and Americas regions. Caroline holds an Executive MBA from Bayes business school, graduating with distinction.

Charlie Winkworth-Smith

Charlie Winkworth-Smith, co-founder of Saicho Sparkling Tea, holds a PhD in flavour chemistry and launched the brand in 2020 alongside his wife Natalie Chiu to create refined, non-alcoholic tea drinks with wine-like complexity.

Chris Dormer

Chris brings an extensive background in the off-trade, with years of experience working closely with wine shops, restaurants, and hospitality businesses across London. At Vintage Roots, he specialises in developing sustainable growth for small and independent businesses, helping them refine their ranges and drive customer engagement. Passionate about innovation and market trends, Chris is particularly interested in how the No & Low sector can support retailers and hospitality venues in meeting changing consumer demands.

Chris Losh

Chris has been a writer, journalist, author and magazine editor in the world of drinks for over 25 years. Two years ago, he teamed up with AF expert Chrissie Parkinson to set up the World Alcohol-Free Awards – the only competition dedicated to drinks at 0.5% abv or below.

Christof Tremp

Christof Tremp is the co-founder and CEO of Rebels 0.0%, a startup crafting alcohol-free spirits. With an MA in Business Administration from HSG and experience at Kraft Foods, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, and Lindt & Sprüngli. Through their “Cheers Revolution”, Rebels 0.0% is challenging social drinking norms by offering sophisticated alternatives to gin, rum, whiskey, and aperitifs. Rebels 0.0% taps into the growing trend of reduced alcohol consumption, especially among younger generations, while positioning itself as a choice rather than an anti-alcohol stance.
Their spirits, produced in Switzerland using double distillation and organic botanicals, closely mimic traditional flavors. Committed to sustainability and ethical standards, Rebels 0.0% maintains a complex production process, resulting in a premium product.

Clare Whitehead

Wine Educator at Liberty Wines

Christine Parkinson – World Alcohol Free Awards

Previously the multi-award-winning Group Head of Wine for Hakkasan, Chrissie is one half of the No/Low consultancy Brimful Drinks, and in 2022 co-founded the World Alcohol-Free Awards. Pioneering work with No & Low drinks since 2016 and known as a committed educator and thoughtful communicator. Awards include Imbibe Industry Legend, IWSC Lifetime Achievement, WSET Educator of the Year.

Dan I’Anson

Daniel I’Anson is the Commercial Director of Everleaf, a range of non-alcoholic aperitifs inspired by, and produced with flavours from the natural world. Everleaf makes non-alcoholic drinks taste great, and sell better! He has worked in the drinks industry for over twenty-five years in a range of sales, marketing and brand building roles.

His experience covers both large multi-national companies such as LVMH and Pernod Ricard as well as start-up businesses. He is passionate about brand experience, liquid excellence and the stories which sit behind every drink and bottle.

Dan Stiller

Daniel Stiller is the Chief Executive Officer of Better Rhodes, a company focused on mindful drinking and non-alcoholic beverage innovation. He leads strategy, operations, and growth with a goal of expanding choice and sparking new thinking in the consumer market.

He began his career in automotive. He held leadership roles at Ford, Hyundai, and Honda. He later became Director of North American Sales at ZENN Motor Company, where he led expansion of emerging technologies in new markets.

He has also shared his experience in academia as a professor at Concordia University Chicago, teaching leadership, strategy, and business practice. In the classroom, he connects real-world challenges with academic frameworks to prepare future leaders.

Hockey player, golfer and skier. Outside work, Daniel plays when he can and uses sports to stay grounded to his Canadian roots.
 

Daniel Rowntree

Daniel is the founder of agency and collaboration studio High and Dry. After two decades building and leading drinks marketing agency Elastic – working with global giants like Diageo, Pernod Ricard, and AB InBev – Daniel is now on a mission to educate a new generation of decision makers, businesses, innovators, investors and curious consumers about the opportunities and threats of the dry economy and what comes next.

Dave Rigby

National Account Manager UK & Ireland at NOMOQ

Dave Rigby has been leading NOMOQ UK’s expansion since June 2023, playing a crucial role in the launch of its FSSC 22000 and ISO 9001 facility in Leamington Spa. Formerly the Managing Director of Alcohol Solutions Limited, Dave brings extensive expertise in developing and scaling bespoke beverage brands. His entrepreneurial background and comprehensive industry knowledge enable him to provide innovative, high-quality packaging solutions that help brands stand out. Dave’s focus at NOMOQ is on creating real value for clients through smart, tailored packaging innovations.

David Hodgson

A foundation in hotel management, including The Ritz London, introduced David to the world of fine wines, later joining the Australian assault on the global wine market while working as Director of Brands – UK/Europe for Rosemount Estate Wines. Recognising the encouraging developments in the NOLO beverage sector, David established the Vinolo project in 2018 to critically assess existing products and focus on creating alcohol-free wines for enthusiasts. Mindful of the impact of years of consuming alcohol on his own health, he decided to go alcohol-free himself, although longed to still be able to enjoy the fascinating flavours, textures & ritual that only wine provides. With Co-Founder & wine trade veteran Will Willis, David launched ZENO Prestige alcohol-liberated wines in December 2022, garnering numerous awards & continuing to discover new techniques to improve alcohol-free wine quality & sophistication. David also actively works to support the dynamic NoLo segment as it grows & prospers internationally.Denise Hamilton-Mace – Low No Drinker Magazine

Following a 24-year career in hospitality, Denise Hamilton-Mace is now the founder and editor of Low No Drinker Magazine, the no.1 UK magazine for mindful & sober curious drinkers, and the host of the Low No Drinker Podcast, a weekly conversation with low/no-&-light brand founders and industry experts.
Denise is also a public speaker and writer passionately championing the rise and rise of the low/no-&-light alcohol industry.

Eoin Keenan

Eoin Keenan is Founder of Goodrays, the UK’s most premium CBD brand. After studying Drug Policy as part of his Undergraduate Degree, Eoin spent over a decade studying the market and supporting the launch of some of the UK’s most influential groups including Prohibition Partners and Cannabis Europa. Founding Goodrays, Eoin set out to help consumers find calm and clarity with premium, effective functional beverages. Now stocked in over 10,000 distribution points including Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Carrefour and Intermarche, Goodrays is the fastest growing CBD and functional drinks brand in the UK and Europe.

Erika Doyle

The Founder of Drink Dry, the GCC’s first and only premium non-alcoholic drinks marketplace, Erika is a well-known and revered figure in the beverage industry.

Finlay Doyle

Founder of Miue — a wine-inspired non-alc spritz.

Freddy Bulmer

Freddy Bulmer is an award-winning buyer at The Wine Society, responsible for wines from Australia, Austria, Portugal and New Zealand, as well as food, beers, ciders and low & no-alcohol drinks. He joined the Society in 2013 and became part of the buying team in 2015. Freddy works closely with producers around the world to source characterful, high-quality products that offer real value at every price point. He has played a key role in the success of numerous brands and bespoke launches across The Wine Society’s 180,000-strong membership.

Gabriella and Russell Lamb

As wine lovers, husband and wife, Russell and Gabi were frustrated at being restricted by high alcohol volume of wine and generally unsatisfied with alcohol free wine alternatives.

As entrepreneurs and Business Change Project Managers, they previously founded a successful wine tasting events and retail company (Sip it Wine). Following feedback from 10’s of thousands of clients on the limitations of alcohol strength, it was apparent that they weren’t alone.

They set out to use well loved grapes and partnered with incredible producers in arguably the best wine regions in the world, Bordeaux.

Gail Lynch

Founder & CEO, ZERO Cocktail Bar (Toronto, Canada) Gail Lynch is the founder of ZERO Cocktail Bar, Canada’s first dedicated alcohol-free cocktail bar, tasting room, and bottle shop. Inspired by Europe’s growing no- and low-alcohol movement, she has created an inclusive destination in Toronto known for refined zero-proof serves, house infusions, and community-driven events. Collaborating with other bottle shops in Canada they have formed the Mindful Drinking Alliance Canada. With the motto “Come for the Cocktail, Stay for the Chat,” Gail brings a distinctly Canadian voice to a global conversation on mindful drinking and equitable hospitality. In October 2026 the Mindful Drinking Event will launch in Canada to bring voice to the Canadian market.

Gemma Mills

JOMO Club is the leading non-alc drinks discovery box & club in the UK. As the Founder, I am committed to driving the alcohol-free space through the power of small brand to consumer discovery, education and powerful connection.

Geordie Hadden-Paton

Geordie Hadden-Paton, CFA, is a seasoned investment professional at Rianta Capital, the family office of Tom Singh, the founder of New Look. Since joining in 2021, Geordie has been responsible for managing the consumer-focused venture portfolio. Rianta’s portfolio includes over 75 investments, with a significant focus on the F&B sector, particularly in the no & low alcohol category, featuring investments in companies like Lucky Saint (UK), Pentire (UK), and Boisson (US). Geordie has also spearheaded investments in Something and Nothing, El Rayo, and Grounded, and he represents Rianta on the boards of these companies. With a robust background in financial analysis and portfolio management, Geordie leverages his extensive expertise and network to identify new opportunities, manage existing investments, and optimize returns across the portfolio.

Guy Lawrence

Investor. Chairman. Advisor. Extensive UK and international experience of building premium consumer drinks brands. Turnarounds. Scale-up. Innovation. M+A. Brand Development. Previously CEO Jagermeister UK and Latin America, 16 years Bacardi in various mainly marketing roles. I have invested in and exited multiple consumer product companies over the past 10 years. 

Hamilton Lowe

Hamilton’s career started in marketing, working at agencies IMG and then BBH London on brands such as Johnnie Walker, Adidas and Rubicon. At 28 he started his own drinks brand; Yaguara Cachaça, which was awarded the world’s leading trending cachaça in 2021 and 2022 by Drinks International and available in over 30 countries. Having exited operations after a successful merger, he and his team have gone on to create an exciting new brand coming into the Non Alc space – Smiling Wolf Functional Spirits.

Hannah Tovey

Hannah Tovey is Event Director of the London Wine Fair (LWF), running the UK’s leading drinks exhibition since 2018. Originally from Warwickshire and a French graduate from Southampton with a year abroad in Bordeaux, she worked in wine trade media with Wilmington, William Reed and Monomax, founded Imbibe magazine, and ran consumer events through The Wine Gang before joining LWF. At LWF she combines business, education and networking-driven programming, introducing features like “Discovery Zone” (including low/no), Buyers Awards, and innovations to help exhibitors and visitors navigate market challenges.

Hannah Sharman Cox & Siobhán Payne

Hannah Sharman-Cox and Siobhán Payne are two of the leading faces of the global cocktail scene.  

As consultants, contributors and connectors within the drinks trade – they aim to elevate the industry from the inside out.    

The pair are founders of London Cocktail Week which began in 2010. To date the festival has welcomed hundreds of thousands of guests, inspired a new generation of Londoners to demand better drinking experiences and injected millions of pounds of revenue directly back into the London hospitality trade. On an international stage, the festival has become a blueprint for multiple Cocktail Weeks across the world and is universally recognised to be the best example of a cocktail festival globally. London Cocktail Week was named Event of the Year by the Spirits Business Awards in 2024 – following an incredibly successful fifteenth year. 

Hannah & Siobhán, alongside their business partner Dan Dove, co-founded The Pinnacle Guide – a 1, 2 & 3 PIN recognition system for the world’s best bars which rigorously assesses excellence – both sides of the bar. 

To date there are 85 PINNED bars in the world and The Pinnacle Guide is open for self-nominated applications in fourteen countries. 

Via their consultancy brand HANDS London, the pair work on almost all elements of brand building for both a trade and consumer audience, bringing their vast knowledge of the brand, bar and consumer landscape in the UK. 

Their consultancy work to date has included the creation of global commercial strategies, industry landscape reports, plus foundations and frameworks for start-up businesses. They regularly contribute to global judging panels, seminars and national and international press pieces – and through their connections, they help ensure the right people always find each other – through head-hunting, agency introductions and advocacy. In 2024 they won CLASS Bar Awards’ coveted Outstanding Contribution to the Industry prize. 

They are internationally managed by Global Bartending, the world’s first dedicated Drinks Industry Talent Agency.

Harry Cooper

General Manager & Head Sommelier at Counter 71, a British ingredients led restaurant in Old Street London with a strong No & Low programme. Harry has over 25 years experience in bars & restaurants & joined the judges for 2024 Sommelier Edits No & Low Awards.

Imme Ermgassen

Co-Founder of Botivo, The Big-sipping Botanical Aperitivo (non alcoholic) crafted for pleasure NOT moderation with a bittersweet, herbal, citrus taste profile. 

Botivo is a small batch product, made from scratch by her ‘maker’ co-founder Sam on Lannock Farm and is drunk by people who love food and drinks. It’s made using all natural ingredients and no flavourings and the liquid takes over 1 year to make.

Imme directs all things investment, strategy, brand, marketing and sales.

Irem Eren

Irem Eren, DipWSET Irem is an independent consultant and globally recognized expert in the No & Low Alcohol wine and beverage category. She collaborates as Brand Ambassador with Solos Technology and serves as Head of Sales & Markets at Born Rosé Barcelona. Having lived and worked in New York City and Barcelona, Irem has built a truly global perspective on the wine industry, with experience spanning production, marketing, sales, import and export. She has held key roles with leading wineries and brands including Familia Torres and served as Business Development Director at BevZero. With a multidisciplinary background in Chemistry and Business, she combines technical and strategic expertise. Irem holds the WSET Diploma, WeinAkademiker, is a WSET educator and Master of Wine student, and was honored with the IWSC Emerging Talent in Wine Award.

Jeremias Loock

Jeremias Loock is CEO of The Other Bottle, Portugal’s leading distributor of premium non-alcoholic beverages. He has been shaping the alcohol-free wine movement since 2018, working with Kolonne Null long before the category could be called a market. Today, The Other Bottle operates two physical shops in Portugal and distributes a curated portfolio of alcohol-free wines, beers, and spirits across the Iberian Peninsula. With a background in film production, Jeremias brings a creative and strategic perspective to building a more mindful, modern drinking culture.

Jo Gilbert

Jo joined Drinks Retailing as Editor in 2025, bringing nearly a decade of experience covering the UK drinks trade. Having previously worked as Deputy Editor at Harpers Wine & Spirit, Jo has reported across every corner of the drinks world – from old vines in Spain to whisky innovation in Japan – with an increasing focus on the fast-changing UK retail landscape covering wine, spirits, beer and cider.

Passionate about shining a light on the stories and people shaping the sector, Jo is interested in how retailers and suppliers can work together to build resilient, future-facing businesses, with particular focus on the intersection between drinks and technology, from digital retail strategies to supply chain innovation.

John Assagonde

John Assagonde is the driving force behind Eden Bar in Ghana—where he blends hospitality, culture, and community into every guest experience. With deep roots in African traditions and a creative flair for entertainment and food, John has carved out a venue that’s more than a bar: it’s a gathering place celebrating local artistry, music, and connection. Passionate about fostering joy and belonging, he leads Eden Bar with warmth, authenticity, and a vision to uplift voices and experience across Ghana and beyond.

John Harros

With over 10 years of experience working with SMEs, John is passionate about supporting businesses as they scale up and achieve international growth. As the Commercial Lead for Infinity Blue Group, they operate across four key pillars: Marketplaces, Digital Commerce, Retail, and Content. The team delivers expert strategies and robust infrastructure to help brands expand their reach, optimise operations, and drive growth in global

John Logue

John Logue is the founder of CHANCE Clean Cider and a very vocal advocate for mindful drinking. After senior roles at Diageo, Rekorderlig, Brewdog, and more recent Head of Marketing positions at Lucky Saint, and Crossip Drinks, John launched CHANCE in 2024 to reimagine how cider drinkers connect through social drinking. His mission is not to simply replace alcoholic cider with his award-winning and delicious non-alc cider, but to be part of the next evolution of drinking culture.

Jonny Shields

Head of Growth at Quarter Proof, Jonny is helping build the mid-strength spirits category – taking Quarter’s 15% ABV range into bars and retail while leading education and partnerships. A 2× founder and ex-Seedlip operator with 10+ years in drinks, he champions moderation without compromise and flavour-first serves.

Jörg Geiger

Jörg Geiger is a chef with a passion for learning and innovation and has been making alcohol-free drinks since 2003. From an early age he was fascinated by MeadowFruit and the beverages produced from them in his parents’ business. Over the years, the initial fascination developed into a deep passion for heritage fruit varieties, their cultivation, preservation and processing.

Today, drinks made from heritage apple and pear varieties enjoy renewed popularity. For Jörg Geiger, the excellent reputation of drinks made from MeadowFruit is mainly due to the “diva” of heritage pear varieties, the Champagner- Bratbirne Heritage [most]- Pear. Today, Jörg Geiger is known far beyond Germany’s borders for his knowledge of MeadowFruit trees. From new scientific findings to old techniques of production, Jörg Geiger combines tradition and innovation. The result is a plethora of unique MeadowFruit creations. Doing everything possible to preserve the ancient trees and the diversity of fruit varieties is one of his main goals and a constant motivation. That includes working towards even more sustainably and further increasing the biodiversity of the orchards. Soil health is of particular importance, because MeadowFruit trees are deeply rooted. And Jörg Geiger wants to make the owners of MeadowFruit orchards once again proud of their trees and the value of the fruit they yield.

 

Kate Blake

Kate is a passionate category and shopper expert with a talent for unlocking growth in fast-moving industries. During her five years at Diageo, she was a driving force behind the rise of the Alcohol-Free category; championing the agenda, shaping strategy, and transforming visibility and execution at the point of purchase.

Kate is currently with PepsiCo Snacks, where she is responsible for category performance and delivering sustainable growth for customers.

Always curious and commercially minded, Kate is recognised for her strong customer focus and sharp operational eye for detail. After presenting at last year’s conference, she is delighted to return and share her insights on working effectively with retail partners.

Katie Jenkins:

Katie worked in the UK retail industry for over 15 years, with her expertise covering everything from customer & consumer research and in-store experience, through to people development, customer service and marketing. Her focus on customer experience and insight is second to none and she is obsessively focused on understanding the needs of our clients and their customers.

Katie joined the business in 2019 to oversee the brand marketing and communication strategy for KAM which marked her entry into the hospitality industry. Katie is now on the advisory board for Gamechangers, a judge for the Licensee of the Year awards and the NITA’s, and is a seasoned conference presenter

Karen Tyrell

Karen is Drinkaware’s Chief Executive Officer and joined the organisation in October 2022.

Karen brings over 20 years of experience across health and social care, most recently in the national alcohol and drug treatment charity Humankind where she was Executive Director of Strategy, Culture and External Affairs.

Prior to Humankind Karen worked at Addaction (now called With You), a charity that gives free confidential support to people with drugs, alcohol and mental health issues.

Karen is also Vice Chair of Trustees at the Avalon Group, a social care charity.

Karen is a collaborative leader, with expertise in strategy and communications. She has spent time working in business development and started her career as a volunteer.

Kate Johns – Nudge PR

Kate is the Founder of Nudge PR, a drinks and hospitality-focused PR agency. She has over 20 years’ experience working with both established and emerging brands, helping them to tell their stories, build their reputations, and connect with consumers and trade audiences alike.

Kate O’Dowd

Kate O’Dowd is the founder of Floreat Wines, a pioneering producer of sparkling wines with reduced alcohol and calories. Drawing on her background in herbal medicine, Kate has created a unique product that blends traditional winemaking techniques with botanical infusions for a fresh and flavourful experience. Her work reflects a commitment to health, sustainability, and innovation in the drinks industry.

Kate Roskill

Kate Roskill is CEO of G Spot, the functional drinks brand founded by Gillian Anderson. She has spent 20 years building iconic, consumer brands across food, fashion and lifestyle. Most recently, she was CEO of the award-winning design studio, Toogood, where ran a portfolio of businesses across clothing, furniture and interiors. She was also Managing Director of an innovation consultancy where she developed new product strategies for PepsiCo and also set up Distill Ventures, the Diageo backed drinks accelerator programme.

Kelly Moss

WSTA Kelly deals with compliance and food regulatory matters. She leads on low and no which includes acting as secretariat to the WSTA’s Low and No Working Group, a group formed to support WSTA members in producing, labelling and promoting LoNo alcohol products in the UK.

Laura Demorais

Laura is the Director of Regulatory Affairs at the Portman Group and has over ten years experience working in the industry. Laura is responsible for leading and developing regulatory policy in relation to category marketing issues. She is also responsible for providing the Code Secretariat function to support the Independent Complaints Panel and has oversight of the free Advisory Service and Complaints function.

Laura Ford

Laura is Strategy Director at PB Creative and leads the agency’s strategic offer across its drinks portfolio. She has 15 years’ experience working with both global and challenger brands. Before joining PB she was Strategy Director at Thirst Craft where she launched Heineken Studio, the brewer’s first ever platform for creativity and innovation. Earlier at Design Bridge & Partners she guided Carlsberg’s European portfolio, delivering rebrands for ten of their beer brands including Kronenbourg 1664, now their fastest growing premium beer. Today at PB Creative Laura helps drinks clients set strong strategic foundations while also championing new creative talent through mentoring and industry initiatives.

 

Laura Willoughby MBE

Laura Willoughby is the founder of Club Soda, the Mindful Drinking Movement. She is a serial social entrepreneur and campaigner with a background in politics and marketing. Laura was awarded an MBE for services to charity in 2012 and is a regular speaker and commentator on mindful drinking and the alcohol-free drinks industry.

Laura Zefira

Founder of Zero Proof, a consultancy helping bars, restaurants, and brands create and market alcohol-free drinks programmes. Laura has over a decade’s experience in the drinks industry, specialising in cocktail development and training.

Lauren McCollum — Sainsbury’s

Lauren is Head of Category Planning at Sainsbury’s, with prior category planning experience in Beers, Wines & Spirits and client leadership roles at Nectar360. A Durham University graduate, she blends retail media insight with data-led planning to optimise range and customer experience

Leeanne Warinda

Leeanne has significant professional experience working within high value business support programmes. As a Business Support Manager at Grow London Local, Leeanne connects small businesses with the right support they need to grow and become more sustainable.

Lisa McBain

Lisa is a qualified wine professional, educator and mentor with over 20 years of experience in the UK’s hospitality and retail industries. Her early career in trendy bar and restaurant management (Babuska Bars, Meanfidder, Wagamama) transitioned into commercial roles in sales, marketing, and buying with leading distributors and operators (Matthew Clark, Armit Wines, Bibendum Wines, TRG Group). With multiple harvest experiences under her vine-belt and a passion for sourcing joyful wines, Lisa is currently Wine Buyer at Fuller’s, overseeing the direction of wine across the estate (385 quality pubs and hotels). She is committed to delivering a wine offering that quenches thirst at every price point.

Lou Pollitt

Lou Pollitt is Category & Insights Director at Lucky Saint. She previously led eCommerce at Lotus Bakeries and held senior category roles at BEAR Nibbles and innocent drinks. Her career spans insights, strategy, and commercial roles across FMCG, with earlier experience as an Executive Remuneration Consultant at Hay Group.

Louisa Young

Louisa is the co-founder of Wild Eve, a premium alcohol-free spirit inspired by the Isle of Harris. She works closely with local producers and foragers to create a drink that celebrates the island’s unique flora and culture. Louisa is passionate about sustainability, provenance, and quality in drinks production.

Lorenzo Erba

Lorenzo Erba is the Bar manager for Soho House. Lorenzo is an experienced Bar Manager with over 7 years in high-volume hospitality, currently overseeing bar operations at the original Soho House in Greek Street. He excels at leading large teams, upholding exceptional service standards, and optimising efficiency in fast-paced environments. With a sharp eye for detail and a personal passion for art, Lorenzo blends creativity with structure to elevate every aspect of bar management.

Louise Fitzpatrick

Louise Fitzpatrick is Strategic Growth Manager for HEINEKEN Globally, with a focus on growth opportunities in LoNo and Beyond Beer. She has worked for HEINEKEN for over 12 years, across various roles and functions, in both Dublin and Amsterdam. In previous roles, she was responsible for fuelling consumer centricity by adopting future proof tools and capabilities. She also led the roll out of the organisation’s Global Demand Space framework, and was a key instigator of the company’s expansion into Low and No Alcohol beverages. Prior to HEINEKEN, Louise held a number of roles in innovation and media agencies, as well as a stint as Insights Manager for Tourism Ireland. Louise is passionate about the Low and No alochol beer and how the category is meeting the evolving needs of consumers.

Luke Boase

Luke Boase is the founder of Lucky Saint, a pioneering non-alcoholic beer brand that has quickly gained recognition for its commitment to quality and taste. Driven by a passion for creating a beer that could deliver the full-flavor experience without the alcohol, Luke launched Lucky Saint in 2018 after years of research and development.

Maggie Crifasi

Maggie Crifasi is Co-Owner of Sense, Spain’s first alcohol-free bottle shop, and a leading voice in the country’s zero-proof movement. With 15+ years in top cocktail bars across the U.S. and Barcelona, she now focuses on bringing high-quality non-alcoholic and low-ABV options to hospitality venues, shaping the future of mindful drinking.

Matthias Lataille

Matthias Lataille is the founder of No & Flow Brands (NO+(F)LOW), a sales and distribution agency dedicated to premium no- and low-alcohol drinks. Originally from France, he built his career in London’s hospitality scene, working at venues like the Connaught Hotel before becoming UK Brand Ambassador for Olmeca Altos Tequila with Pernod Ricard. His own journey with sobriety inspired him to focus on reframing alcohol-free drinking as a positive choice.

Through No & Flow, Matthias helps innovative brands grow and gain visibility in the fast-expanding no/low sector. A mentor and advocate for wellbeing in hospitality, he also co-founded the Healthy Hospo Chess Club and continues to champion mindful drinking as part of modern culture.

 

Matthew Searles

Category Manager for Beers, Cider & Spirits at Foodbuy (part of Compass Group), with 14+ years in the on-trade hospitality industry spanning bartending, brand work, and distribution across the UK, Europe, and the US. Previously with Seedlip—the world’s first non-alcoholic spirit—and a long-standing advocate of the No/Low and functional drinks movement, supporting its role in creating more inclusive venues and experiences. Formally curating drink product portfolios for multiple regional wholesalers, consulted on hundreds of venue and event menus, and delivered training and masterclasses throughout. Committed to improving access to drinks through clear quality measures, effective storytelling, and thoughtful commercial analysis.

Maya Tarrant

Maya Tarrant is a hospitality consultant and Beverage Director with 16 years’ experience elevating drink programmes through creative, commercial, and operational support. As a certified WSET educator and twice named in CODE’s 30-Under-30, she delivers bespoke strategies, training, and implementation to help brands and venues thrive in the low-/no-alcohol space. Her consultancy (Maya Tarrant Ltd) focuses on authenticity, individual approach, and long-term operational success.

Mei Kyotani

Brand Manager, Premium Beverage Development Division Asahi Group Japan, Ltd.
Mei is a brand strategist and product innovator at Asahi Group Japan, with over 15 years of experience in the beverage industry. Her career spans marketing and new category development, including award-winning work in “SUMADORI” – marketing targeted to non-drinkers.  She is passionate about creating joyful, cross-cultural beverage experiences that connect Japan with the world.

Michael Jolley – International Trade Adviser, Department for Business and Trade

Michael started his own Hampshire-based speciality food business in the 1980s and grew it into a global brand, exporting to over 35 countries. Now an International Trade Adviser at DBT, he supports food and drink businesses across southern England—ranging from household brands to ambitious startups—on their export journeys. With a portfolio of around 150 clients, generating hundreds of millions of pounds in overseas sales, Michael brings practical insight and sector know-how to building export strategies that work.

Mike Mudie

Mike Mudie is a former professional golfer, turned IT entrepreneur, whose journey from sell-out success to total burnout sparked a mission of authenticity and purpose. With a fierce desire to innovate and to redefine a market full of compromises, while nurturing people and our planet, Authentic Brew was born.
 
As CEO and Co-Founder of Authentic Brew alongside fellow Co-Founder and ‘Godfather of the Alcohol Free movement’ Andy Ramage, Mike now channels his passion into building a brand powered by Mother Nature, innovation, community and sustainability — committing 25% of net profits to biodiversity restoration projects around the world, helping people and places naturally thrive. No Compromises. 

Millie Gooch – Sober Girl Society

Millie Gooch is the founder of the Sober Girl Society and one of the leading voices in the UK’s sobriety movement. Her first book, The Sober Girl Society Handbook, was described as “an empowering survival guide” by the Evening Standard and led to her appointment as a proud ambassador for Alcohol Change UK. In November 2024, she expanded her literary portfolio with her mindfulness journal, Booze-Less. A recognised authority in documenting the sobriety journey, Millie has partnered with global brands including Sainsbury’s, Anthropologie, Tinder, and Microsoft Windows. She has also delivered employee workshops for organisations like ASOS, Charlotte Tilbury, and the Ministry of Justice, and has appeared as a guest on prominent podcasts such as Boots’ Taboo Talks alongside Vogue Williams and Should I Delete That? with Alex Light and Em Clarkson. Further solidifying her authority in the space, in 2024, Millie completed her Master’s in Mental Health & Addiction with a distinction and was nominated for Changemaker of the Year at the B Creator Awards. Her TEDx Talk has further solidified her influence, amassing over 4 million views across social platforms in just two weeks and sparking important conversations about alcohol and mental health

Moritz Zyrewitz

Moritz Zyrewitz is an entrepreneur with over a decade of experience building purpose-driven companies. He founded an alcohol-free wine company in 2018 and a mid-strength wine company in 2021. Companies he founded raised more than €10 million in investment and he mastered scaling revenue from zero to €3 million. His expertise lies in sales, communication, pragmatic growth strategy, and stakeholder management. With a background in Political Science and years spent living in Bolivia, Canada, France, and Egypt, he brings an international perspective to business. Based at Lake Chiemsee with his family, he is currently exploring the intersection of food innovation, mental wellbeing, and culture — including alternative proteins in his free time.

Narmeen Kamran

Narmeen Kamran is the founder of Temperance AF, a pioneering mobile bar service creating show-stopping, alcohol-free cocktails for events. With years of experience in high-end event production and brand activations, Narmeen launched Temperance AF to challenge the narrative that sobriety is limiting—and instead spotlight how inclusive drinks can be exciting, sophisticated, and fun. From creating bespoke cocktail menus for companies like Google to appearing at industry-leading shows, Temperance AF is quickly becoming the go-to partner for alcohol-free excellence at events. Narmeen combines creative flair with operational precision, ensuring each event balances style with substance. Beyond her business, she is a respected voice in the industry on the future of drinks culture and inclusive event design. She co-authored a white paper on alcohol at events in partnership with Club Soda and regularly appears on panels, podcasts, and in the press discussing sober inclusion. Narmeen also runs Desert Island Events, a creative agency for brand experiences, and co-hosts Event Horror Stories, a podcast sharing the real behind-the-scenes of the industry. Passionate about mental health, representation, and meaningful change, she is on a mission to make events more inclusive, sustainable, and joyfully sober.

Natasha Brinsmead

Natasha Brinsmead is the founder of Sip & Share, a community for people who love premium alcohol-free drinks. She curates monthly subscription boxes and online tastings, connecting members with innovative brands and products from around the world.

Nick Bodkins

Nick Bodkins is the founder of A Route West and the former CEO of Boisson, a category-defining marketplace for non-alcoholic wines and spirits. At Boisson, Nick raised $22 million in venture funding and built a national footprint across New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, and e-commerce.

He led the brand through explosive growth—and a difficult restructuring—earning recognition in The New York Times, Forbes, Business Insider, and BevNet. These experiences, from scaling to course-correcting, now shape the work he does at A Route West: helping founders and operators grow smarter and adapt faster.

Before launching Boisson, Nick spent more than a decade in enterprise marketing and technology, leading digital strategy and GTM execution for both consumer brands and SaaS companies. His approach combines startup urgency with enterprise structure.

Nick is a two-time judge at the World Alcohol-Free Awards in London and was recently named a no/low alcohol judge for the IWSC.

Nick Graham

Nick Graham is the founder of High Point Drinks, a Cornwall-based producer of premium non-alcoholic fermented aperitifs and digestifs. His background in the drinks industry spans over 20 years, and he is committed to crafting complex, flavourful alternatives to alcohol using natural ingredients and traditional methods.

Nik Keane

Nik Keane is CMO and co-founder of DioniLife, home to award-winning non-alcoholic brands Mash Gang, La Borosa and Pavari. DioniLife has both raised funds and bought as it builds a multi category portfolio. Nik has experience from running global drinks brands to start-up.

Nigel Barden

Nigel Barden is a food and drink broadcaster with over 30 years of experience championing producers, chefs, and innovators. Best known for his long-standing role as the voice of food on BBC Radio, he has judged countless food and drink awards and is a trusted commentator on culinary trends. Passionate about supporting both established and emerging brands, Nigel brings warmth, wit, and deep knowledge to every conversation, making him a natural host for lively discussions at industry events.

Olivia Spencer

Olivia is the Head of Marketing at Everleaf, the award-winning range of non-alcoholic aperitifs. She has a background in brand strategy and consumer engagement, with a focus on sustainability and storytelling in the drinks industry.

Paddy Gardiner

Paddy is a holistic drinks expert, with a background in bar and restaurant operations, and extensive experience opening new hospitality outlets on 3 continents. He currently manages the drinks menu at Côte, developing all categories and specialising in wine buying and cocktail NPD. He holds a WSET Level 3 in wine, and is an Advanced Cicerone in beer.

Patrick Fogarty

Patrick is the Managing Director at Wise Bar Trader, a specialist distributor of premium no and low-alcohol products in the UK. With a deep knowledge of the sector, Patrick supports bars, restaurants, and retailers in building successful mindful drinking offerings.

Paul Mathew

Paul is a conservation biologist-turned bar owner who is obsessed with combining his passions for plants and drinks. He launched Everleaf non-alcoholic aperitifs in January 2019 to meet the demand for better non-alcoholic drink options. Made from the world’s most wonderful plants, sustainability is a core part of Everleaf – ensuring our plants thrive forever.

Rachel Hicks

Rachel is the co-founder of Nonsuch Shrubs, makers of premium non-alcoholic shrubs inspired by heritage recipes. She is passionate about flavour innovation, sustainability, and the revival of traditional preserving methods in drinks production.

Rhona Madigan Wheatley

Rhona Wheatley is the founder of Sip – The 0% Cocktail, a premium alcohol-free drinks brand reimagining the ritual of cocktail culture without compromise. With a background in distilling and hospitality as Co-Founder of the Isle of Bute Distillery, Rhona brings a deep understanding of flavour, theatre, and the social experience of drinking. She launched Sip to give people – especially women – more exciting, stylish choices , inspired by her own six years of pregnancy and breastfeeding when options were limited. Today, Sip is building momentum across the UK with bold flavours, playful branding, and a mission to make mindful drinking both effortless and celebratory.

Robyn Simms

Robyn is the ex-founder of Square Root, an alcohol-free brand she took from kitchen table to millions of bottles sold. She is now helping the next wave of food & drink brands thrive on DELLI.market

Ryan Prescott

A veteran of the bar industry, Ryan has spent his career behind the bar managing some of the most popular venues across the UK including Cane & Grain, The Blues Kitchen and The Columbo Group. A self-proclaimed drinks-nerd, he brings a wealth of mixology and on-trade knowledge to the strategic drinks consultancy Barfly, where he now plies his trade.


Sam McGinty

Sam is the founder of Mindful Mixology, a consultancy and training company helping hospitality businesses to create exceptional alcohol-free cocktail menus. With a background in bartending and menu development, Sam is dedicated to improving the quality and variety of no and low-alcohol options.

Sam Cooklin-Smith

With 14+ years in wine, spirits, and low/no drinks, including roles at leading RTMs and the IWSC, I co-founded Kore Drinks in 2023—a specialist agency/distributor championing innovative, boundary-breaking drinks and supporting brands, venues, and distributors across the UK and beyond.

Sam Page

Sam Page is the Head Bartender of Sexy Fish, an industry leading bar & restaurant in the world of alcohol free & low ABV cocktails. He’s worked at Sexy Fish for 3 and a half years and contribute heavily to all drink development programs. He enjoys focusing on flavour forward, balanced and minimalist serves that highlight incredible ingredients & products- “great drinks don’t have to be complicated”.

Samantha Groves

Samantha is the UK Country Manager for Lyre’s, one of the world’s leading non-alcoholic spirit brands. She has extensive experience in brand management and sales, with a passion for making premium alcohol-free alternatives available to everyone.

Sanna van Herwaarden

Sanna van Herwaarden, founder of Ruby&Straw, draws on 20+ years in wine export management with leading global producers. Since 2014, her London-based company has helped ambitious wineries expand sales and distribution across Europe and beyond with flexible, cost-effective strategies. She operates in UK​, Ireland​, Nordics, , Belgium​, France, The Baltics​, Czech Republic, USA, Asia.

Sarah Connell

Sarah is the founder of The Mindful Kitchen, a catering and events company specialising in plant-based, alcohol-free experiences. She creates immersive dining events that combine flavour, wellness, and sustainability.

Sébastien Thomas

Sébastien Thomas is co-founder and Managing Director of Moderato, a pioneering French “low-no” wine brand launched in 2020.) Drawing on a family heritage in Cognac and a background in marketing, strategy and brand building, he leads Moderato’s mission to bring premium, dealcoholised wines to wine lovers in a more responsible way.

Silvia Cedeno Daguerre

Silvia received a degree in Agricultural engineering from the University of Zaragoza, Spain and a second degree from La Rioja University in Winemaking. She then traveled around the world learning various methods of international winemaking, including four years as Production Manager in a wine cooperative in D.O. Calatayud, working in Germany in the Mosel area, and working at About Wine and Style Consult in Neustadt Weinstrasse. Silvia has been apart of the BevZero team since 2015.

Søren Kirketerp

Experienced Co-Founder with a demonstrated history of working in the machinery & the food industry. Founding Member of ISH Spirits in 2019 & Founder of NOLO Collective ApS in 2024. Skilled in Food & Beverage, Management, Business-to-Business (B2B), Entrepreneurship, and Business Strategy. Strong entrepreneurship professional graduated from HEC Paris.

Stefan Neumann

It was 20 years ago that Austrian-born Stefan set out to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a Master Sommelier. Over the years he has worked in several senior positions in the hospitality industry, including the Fat Duck and Dinner by Heston with his trademark enthusiasm, curiosity, and dedication. He joined Fells in 2021 as its Wine Consultant where he now combines his passion for matching the characters of wine with the emotions that they evoke.

Steve Garwood

Steve is the wine buyer for Tesco.

Tatiana Mercer

Co-founder, entrepreneur, and mum of two, Tati is the bar-loving, party-going people person that makes it all come together at Three Spirit HQ. Need a recommendation, there’s not a bar or restaurant she’s not been to or knows about. Her brain never stops and she never stops, except if it’s to hear a story or help someone out. The ultimate ‘fixer’, bringing people together is Tati’s thing. Her generosity knows no bounds.

Theadora Alexander

Thea is the CEO of YF, the leading consultancy for high growth FMCG brands in the UK and abroad. Through its strategic advisory and support services, YF has a track record of working with retailers and brands to deliver some of the most successful new brand launches in the market over the last 10 years.

Thea is widely considered the ‘voice of the FMCG challenger community’ having actively championed the need for more branded innovation in the market, firmly establishing herself as a reputable industry thought leader and regular media commentator. She has advised more than 500 brands through their journeys to £50m+.

Theresa Williams

Theresa is the cocktails buyer at premium supermarket Marks & Spencer’s, where she looks after all the Ready to Drink cocktails – including alcohol-free – and also the no- and low spirits. 

Tim Bird

With his wife and business partner, Mary, Tim Bird operates seven boutique pubs in rural Cheshire and North Staffordshire. They are committed to being renowned for having one of the best drinks acts in the UK and whilst space is at a premium on our bars, they will make space for the right drinks that capture the imagination of their guests and their teams.

Thinking Drinkers

The Thinking Drinkers are Ben McFarland & Tom Sandham – two of the UK’s leading drinks writers, comedians, presenters and award-winning authors of several books on drink.

Their most recent book “The Thinking Drinkers Almanac”, was named one of the Sunday Times Food & Drinks Books of the Year.  

The duo appear regularly on ITV’s This Morning as non-alcoholic drinks experts and each year since 2011, they have written and performed a new unique tasting comedy show which tours the UK and places drinks in the hands of around 12k consumers. 

Ben  has been named “Beer Writer of The Year” by the “British Guild of Beer Writers” on three separate occasions and spent seven years as the pub and bar reviewer for Time Out London.  

Tom Sandham, meanwhile, was named “Spirits Communicator of the Year” by the IWSC (International Wine and Spirits Competition), is the former editor of the leading industry spirits and cocktail magazine CLASS and oversaw the launch of World’s 50 Best Bars and House Tonic, the cocktail magazine for the Soho House Group. 

They regularly contribute to a variety of publications ranging from The Guardian and The Telegraph to The Spectator and pen a drinks column for National Geographic.

This summer, fuelled by non-alcoholic beer, the pair embarked on “The Great British Pub Ride” – cycling from Lands End to John O Groats on a tandem bike to highlight the plight facing UK pubs. 

The journey drew huge press attention and they filmed the entire journey too using their drinks-driven production company Blind Tiger Films. You can watch it here

They also once wrote a book about kebabs – but don’t like to talk about that.

Toby Barlow

Toby Barlow is the Group White, Rosé & Sparkling Winemaker at Treasury Wine Estates, a role he’s held since August 2019. 

He has deep roots in the industry, having previously been Premium Wineries Director and Senior Winemaker at Accolade Wines, and a long stint at St Hallett and Mitchelton in Australia. 

Toby holds a Graduate Diploma in Oenology from the University of Adelaide, and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Macquarie University, among other credentials. 

He is leading Treasury Wine Estates’ efforts in in-house low- and no-alcohol wine innovation, including supervision of a new Barossa Valley facility using advanced dealcoholisation technology designed to preserve flavour and aroma

Tom Surgey

Tom Surgey is one of the UK’s leading voices in wine, drinks, and hospitality. A broadcaster, writer, and presenter, he is best known a regular drinks expert on ITV’s Love Your Weekend. With a career spanning sommelier work at leading restaurants through to global brand consultancy, Tom has a rare ability to bridge deep industry knowledge with engaging storytelling. He now works with a wide range of drinks businesses, from alcohol-free pioneers to established international brands, bringing insight, wit, and accessibility to every conversation.

Tom Ward

Tom is the founder of Wise Bartender, one of the UK’s largest online retailers for no and low-alcohol drinks. He has built a comprehensive range of products for consumers, events, and hospitality venues, championing choice and accessibility in the mindful drinking sector.

Tom Proctor

The Alcohol-Free Co & DryDrinker.com are leading pioneers in the alcohol-free lifestyle space, offering a curated selection of premium non-alcoholic beers, wines, spirits, and adult soft drinks. Committed to quality, taste, and wellbeing, both platforms empower individuals to enjoy social occasions without compromise. Whether you’re sober curious, taking a break, or living alcohol-free, The Alcohol-Free Co and DryDrinker.com provide inclusive, flavorful alternatives for every palate and purpose.

Tonia Antoniazzi MP

Tonia Antoniazzi has been the Labour MP for Gower since 2017. A passionate advocate for British brewing, she was elected Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group in July 2024, having previously served as Vice-Chair. Tonia also chairs APPGs on Modern Languages and Rugby Union. A former teacher and international rugby player, she brings her love of community and culture to her work championing beer and pubs as vital parts of UK life.

Valerie Evans

Valerie Evans is a seasoned investor at Five Seasons Ventures, a pan-European fund focused on category defining consumer brands across the food, drink, health, and wellness spaces. She sits on the board of Artah, a supplements company focused on metabolic health, and Puresport, a sports nutrition brand focused on clean recovery and performance support. While she has American roots, she has lived in London and now Paris. 

Verena Caris

Verena is the Food & Drink Export Growth Senior Manager at Department for Business and Trade.
 

Wataru Nakayama

Brand Manager, New Consumer Creation Department, Asahi Breweries, Ltd. Wataru is a specialist in customer creation and brand strategy through technological innovation in the beverage industry. He has led the development of non-alcoholic beers using dealcoholisation technology, as well as the creation of non-alcoholic cocktails, with a strong focus on driving behavioral change among new consumers. Passionate about transforming consumer insights into value through innovation-driven marketing, Wataru is dedicated to pioneering new markets and shaping the future of the drinks industry.

Will McKenna

Will is the co-founder of Real Drinks Co., producers of naturally fermented sparkling teas. With a focus on craftsmanship, flavour, and sustainability, Will has helped position Real as a premium alternative to traditional alcoholic drinks.

Will Willis

Will Willis is co-founder and Commercial Director of ZENO Prestige alcohol-liberated wines, bringing his deep wine trade experience to the low/no space. Previously active across retail, logistics, and brand development, he has long championed raising quality in non-alcoholic wine.

Zoe Burgess

Zoe Burgess is the founder of one of London’s leading drinks consultancies, Atelier Pip with over 15 years experience creating cocktails and concepts for bars, restaurants and hotels. Her work encompasses a range of projects across the UK and Europe. Clients include Emberwood (Bath), Artfarm (Bruton), Chishuru (London) and Julie’s (London) with a further project with a Michelin-starred restaurant launching later this year. She is the lead drinks consultant for The Standard in London and Brussels. At The Standard London she oversees the cocktail offering across the site’s five venues, including the 10th floor cocktail bar, Sweeties. She created the cocktail offering for The Standard Brussels 2025 opening for three venues, including a Martini / Royale concept for the Lobby Bar. She was previously part of the development team at The Fat Duck.

Zoe is also committed to on-trade training and development. In collaboration with Merlet Liquers, she has implemented a Flavour Flip cocktail development programme with workshops held in London, Edinburgh and Amsterdam and more planned for 2025 and 2026. In 2025 she hosted presentations at Diageo Bar Academy’s Career Lab. She also speaks extensively on no and low alcohol cocktail creation, including at the ‘No, Low & Mid Summit 2024 & 2025’.

 

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