Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top United Kingdom based Managing Director operating in the Wine And Spirits space. If you think a Managing Director is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Stephen Finch
Founder and Managing Director of Vagabond Wines
Stephen Finch is the Founder and Director of VAGABOND and BOXCAR
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About BOXCAR, Vagabond Wines: Vagabond Wines is owns and operates wine bars and shops in the United Kingdom.
Struan Mackie
Co-founder and Managing Director of North Point Distillery
Struan Mackie is Scottish politician and entrepreneur from Thurso, in the Highlands. Co-founder and Managing Director of North Point Distillery, in West Caithness, Struan is a seasoned entrepreneur within the spirits industry. A regular media contributor and public speaker across the United Kingdom and abroad, he is a member for Thurso and Northwest Caithness for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. As a management consultant with global auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers, Struan has worked across the private and public sector within the firms advisory practice in London, Belfast, Edinburgh and Leeds. He now operates a boutique consultancy firm called MacDonald Mackie Consulting based in the Scottish Highlands. Throughout the 2015 General Election and 2016 Scottish Parliamentary elections, Struan provided media contribution for the BBC across multiple platforms, including appearances on Good Morning Scotland, Newsnight, Victoria Derbyshire and the BBC World Service. He maintains a working relationship with the BBC and has contributed to debates around the economy, rural matters and the European Union. A Strathclyde University Business School Alumnus, Struan is primarily based in the Scottish Highlands with engagements across the United Kingdom as part of ongoing consultancy work.
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About North Point Distillery, The Highland Council: The home of small batch, sustainable spirits. Wildly crafted on the rugged Caithness coast.
James Miles
Managing Director & Co-Founder of Liv-ex
James Miles was born in Hong Kong and attended school and university in the UK. He started his career with Jardine Fleming Investment Management in Hong Kong in 1991, before becoming an equities analyst and strategist with Asia Equity (which later became Banque Paribas and then BNP Paribas). He moved to London in 1997 and left banking in March 2000 to set up Liv-ex.
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About Liv-ex: Liv-ex is the global marketplace for the wine trade, to whom we supply data, trading, technology and fulfilment services.
Julia Austin
Founder and Managing Director of Tyne Bank Brewery
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About Tyne Bank Brewery: Tyne Bank Brewery’s growth has been based on our strong brand and focus on quality craft beers.
John Arnold
Owner/Managing Director of A & B Vintners
John Arnold is the Managing Director at A&B Vintners.
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About A & B Vintners: A & B Vintners is an independent wine merchants.
Ruby Chan
Managing Director of My Teatime LTD
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About My Teatime LTD: Wholesome natural tea infusions: from blooming flower teas to perfectly crafted blends, made from whole leaves.
