10 years of the db awards: Man of the Year

Last year the drinks business turned 10 years old marking a decade of award winners produced by the annual drinks business awards, now in its 11th year.

To mark the milestone we decided to leaf through the archives and take a look back over the past decade to see which industry professionals were praised for their contribution to the drinks trade throughout the noughties and beyond.

The db awards have grown to become the most authoritative and internationally respected badge of achievement recognising and celebrating best practice in the drinks industry.

Man of the Year is just one category which has seen some of the biggest names in the industry walk away with the title.

Entries are now being taken for the 2014 awards which will see the addition of two new categories, Travel Retail Operator of the Year and Online Retailer of the Year, to an already established line-up of awards.

Entry for all the award categories is £149 + VAT per entry until 24th February 2014, or £179 + VAT thereafter.

Deadline for all entries is 25 April 2014 with the winners due to be unveiled at a ceremony during the London Wine Fair on 3 June.

For more information and to enter, click here, call +44 (0) 20 7803 2420, or email lewis@thedrinksbusiness.com.

Scroll through to see every winner of Man of the Year over the last 10 years… 

2004 – Patrick McGrath MW, MD of Hatch Mansfield

What we said (in our November 2010 100th issue): “[Patrick McGrath] was applauded for his “energy, commitment and exceptional leadership qualities”, and was also described as “effacing”. Remembering the embarrassed look on his face as his name was announced, one sensed he would have preferred to be at the back of the room clapping for someone else, not stepping onto the stage. He modestly joked later that he only won the accolade because there were few entries.”

“McGrath is a graduate of Oriel College Oxford where he studied geography. His first job in the wine trade was as a management trainee at Victoria Wine in 1993, and after just six months on the shop floor he became a buyer, which he did for five years. Then, in 1988 Patrick joined Grants of St James’s as marketing manager for the Old Hatch Mansfield Agencies. In 1991 he joined Mentzendorff as marketing controller and then director for Bollinger Champagne. McGrath then joined and helped set up the new Hatch Mansfield Agencies team in 1994 as MD. He passed the MW exam in 1993.”

2005 – Roger Gabb, chairman, Western Wines

What we said then: “Roger Gabb, chairman of Western Wines, has fulfilled the ultimate business fantasy. He started his company in 1980 at his kitchen table in Shropshire, created a killer brand in 1995, then sold the whole shebang for an exceedingly cool £133m last year (2004). By the time Canadian outfit, Vincor International, snapped up Gabb’s company, it was the largest independent wine importer and distributor in the UK and Kumala was the only top 10 wine owned by a private company. Last year the brand achieved UK sales of 2.4m cases.

“But Kumala is only part of the story. In 1986 Gabb formed a partnership with Italian co-ops which ultimately resulted in Western Wines being responsible for one bottle in every case of Italian wine sold in the UK off-trade. The highly regarded Da Luca brand is one of his too.

“An ex-captain in the Welsh Guards who did special forces services in Borneo and Kenya, Gabb is a keen sportsman and does a great deal of charitable work. In 2003 he climed Mera Peak, the highest of Nepal’s designated trekking peaks, and in the process raised over £25,000 for charities including the Wine & Spirit Benevolent fund.”

2006 – Karan Bilimoria, founder & CEO, Cobra

What we said then: “Begun from the back of a van in 1989, Cobra beer is now an £80 million global brand, and on course to hit £100m, when the business plans to float. Driving that van aged 27, and the business today, is Karan Bilimoria, a charismatic Cambridge graduate of Indian descent. He saw the potential for a smoother, less gassy lager that would appeal to both ale and lager drinkers and prove a suitable partner to food, and launched Cobra when £20,000 in debt. He is still at the helm of the business, creating new markets for Cobra and constantly encouraging innovation, be it in brewing techniques or packaging formats.

“Cobra was first brewed in Bangalore in 1990, and in 1997 began brewing under license in the UK with Charles Wells, Britain’s largest independent brewery. The eye-catching lager has undergone dramatic repackaging since its launch, using textured glass to tell the brand story. It can now be bought in a range of formats, including cans, and the beer range has been extended to include a lower carb/lower cal version as well as an alcohol free one. Most recent is the addition of a super-premium version, called King Cobra.

“The judges were unanimous in voting Bilimoria Man of the Year. One judge commented: “Karan Bilimoria’s leadership is exceptional and he is involved in so many things outside his role in the company.” In recognition of his business achievements another judge explained, “Karan Bilimoria is hugely impressive – he went into a category that was dominated by huge brands and with flat growth, and transformed it.” Judges also felt that Bilimoria’s success looked set  to continue: “Cobra is a brand others are emulating and Bilimoria is still continuing to innovate as well as expand in international markets – he has an office in South Africa and two in the US.”

2007- Paul Walsh, Diageo

What we said then: “Since he was appointed CEO of Diageo in 2000, Paul Walsh has managed to win the admiration of the drinks industry. According to the drinks business judging panel, both Walsh and his senior management team have revolutionised the way business is done.

“During Walsh’s tenure, Diageo’s brands have continued to dominate the international markets, new product development has remained fresh and challenging and, most important of all, Walsh has managed to do all this while keeping the City happy. (The company’s operating profits are expected to rise 8% this year).

“One of the drinks business judges said: “Paul Walsh changed the name of the game when it came to handling the Seagram portfolio and while the company has a range of mature brands their performance is tremendous globally. In every way what Paul Walsh has achieved with Diageo is an outstanding success.”

“Under Walsh’s leadership, Diageo has revived the Johnnie Walker brand with its famous “keep walking” campaign, making it the world’s leading Scotch whisky. Diageo is currently building Johnnie Walker’s premium market share by sponsoring the Formula One championship as well as producing the Blue Label King George V range. Diageo, which produces the world’s leading vodka – Smirnoff – also owns Guinness. Although the stout has recently experienced a slowdown in sales in the UK and Ireland, its marketing strategy is still envied the world over.

“A member of our judging panel summed it up: “Paul Walsh is a man of integrity, who runs a world-class company making him justly deserving of this award.”

2008 – Tim How, CEO, Majestic Wine Warehouse

What we said then: “Tim How has been recognised as the drinks business Awards 2008 Man of the Year due to his outstanding work in putting Majestic on the map in terms of wine retailing in the UK.

“How has been acknowledged as the driving force behind the company’s tremendous growth and expansion since buying the fledgling Wine Wizard warehouse chain from Iceland, with John Apthorp and Tony Mason, back in 1989.

“After much discussion the judges felt that How was a most deserving recipient of the accolade having been not only the guiding light in the company’s success but also for his track record commercially and for his pivotal role in
breaking the mould in the landscape of British wine retailing.

“A member of the panel commented: “Tim How has taken Majestic from a loss-making operation to becoming the UK’s leading independent wine retailer. He sets the standard when it comes to creating and running a profitable business based on very simple principles of giving the customer excellent service, a great range, free tasting and delivery and easy parking.”

“Under his guidance profits have grown from £1.24 million in 1996 to £16.2m in 2007. The company has been successfully floated on AIM, has created a successful cross-channel business in “Wine and Beer World”, and the number of stores operating in the UK has been increased to 200.”

2009 – Michael Saunders, managing director, Bibendum Wine

What we said then: “To say he lives and breathes the company is a bit of an understatement,” states Bibendum Wine’s website. Indeed, Michael Saunders has devoted all of his working life to Bibendum, apart from “six months in Argentina and a summer as Anthony Barton’s cellar rat in Bordeaux,” according to the site. His devotion to the business was one of the many factors that made the judges unanimous in their decision that he was worthy of this accolade.

“Despite strong competition, encompassing men from across the wine industry in particular, Michael rose to the top of the pile because he has made his business work in an innovative and imaginative way, including initiatives such as teaming up with food service company 3663 to launch the on-trade supply arm Vivas. He has risen through the ranks in his company since its inception. Now at the helm, he is known both in the trade.”

2010 – Cristian Lopez, Concha Y Toro

What we said then: The judges’ vote to name Cristián this year’s DB Man of the Year was unequivocally unanimous. His involvement in setting up and subsequently consolidating Concha y Toro’s position in the UK market has been phenomenal, and as one judge put it: “He was so influential, without him, Concha y Toro wouldn’t have got where it is in the UK today,” adding that his competitive yet friendly approach won the hearts and minds of the people he worked with.

“Cristián was also praised for ensuring his “very good people skills” permeated their way through the Concha y Toro UK office, something which created an influential business energy which ensured his staff stayed loyal to both him and the company. One judge even commented that he tried to poach a member of staff from Cristián’s team but they refused to join as they wanted to continue working for Cristián! The judges felt that Cristián’s influence has not just had an effect on the UK market, but other markets too.

“As one judge stated: “His feedback [to CyT] has driven the success of the company on other markets too.” Finally, Cristián’s generic work in the UK was another factor in making him their choice for 2010. One judge stated: “When he was in the UK he worked as much for Chile as he did for Concha y Toro.”

2011 – Simon McMurtrie, Direct Wines

What we said then: “The judges were unfaltering in their decision about whom to award this year’s Man of the Year prize. McMurtrie was not only recognised for his fortitude, determination and ability to keep his word, but also for having recently taking one of the UK’s most dynamic retailers out of doldrums and into £10 million worth of profit to the end of 2010. A forthright individual, he believes in the people he employs, describing his team as the characters who have given him the confidence to “take the business to new and interesting places and to change the things that other people have been too frightened to change”.

“In the past three years McMurtrie has delivered rapid international expansion, increased revenues and improved consumer and trade perceptions of his company. For these reasons the judges felt he was worthy of this accolade. McMurtrie received his award from Sylvie Cazes, co–owner of Château Lynch Bages, director of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and president of the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux.”

2012 – Sir George Fistonich, founder and owner of the Villa Maria Estate

Sir George Fistonich

What we said then: “This year’s winner is admired worldwide for the vision and determination with which he has steered his company since its foundation in the 1960s. Sir George Fistonich is known for being one of the first winemakers to defend the regional differences and their effect on wine styles in his home country and has always been at the forefront of promoting the quality of New Zealand wines.

“He is an innovator, a man who encourages excellence from his team and in every aspect of his business and someone who has received some of the highest accolades, not only in winemaking terms but also by being knighted in 2009. Away on a tour to celebrate Villa Maria’s 50th anniversary, George offered his reaction in a video from Beijing, saying, “I am delighted to accept this award and wish to thank everyone who contributed to our success over the years – Villa Maria Estate employees and the Hatch Mansfield team in the UK in particular.”

2013 – Jay Wright, managing director of Virgin Wines

Jay Wright (right)

What we said then: “One of our youngest ever men of the year in the award’s 10-year history, Virgin Wines’ managing director has only just turned 42. Despite his young age, Wright’s experience is immense, having set up two new wine operations – World Wines Direct and Warehouse Wines – before becoming MD of Virgin Wines and Averys of Bristol in June 2008. In the last year specifically, Wright has overseen a rise in profitability and performance at Virgin Wines, as well as driving record levels of staff training at the mail-order business, with 44 employees holding WSET certificates and a further 26 studying towards them.

“He has also relaunched the WineBank loyalty scheme and unveiled the London Wine Awards – where the public is the judge – and the Virgin wines Virtual Winery, allowing 700 consumers to influence the production of a wine. Described by the judges as spearheading change at the retailer and someone who’s happy to pack boxes with his staff as well as manage the team of 145 employees, Wright was declared a worthy 2013 Man of the Year.”