IMW welcomes SVB as new sponsor

Silicon Valley Bank, has become the newest sponsor of the Institute of Masters of Wine.

The bank has a branch dedicated to the wine industry and with four offices in fine wine regions across the US, is a financial service provider to numerous wineries especially on the west coast.

In a statement the IMW said: “SVB will work closely with the IMW and its students in furthering their understanding of the business of wine, a large component in the Master of Wine exam syllabus. The bank also plans to work with a number of individual Masters of Wine, to enhance the offer the bank makes to its wine industry producers and other clients.”

The announcement came just after the recent IMW trip to California, during which the head of the institute, Adrian Garforth MW met with William Stevens, the head of the bank’s wine division.

Garforth said: “We are delighted to welcome Silicon Valley Bank as a Supporter of the IMW. They are the first financial company to join our international supporter community and are doing so at a buoyant time in the IMW’s history. We respect their commitment to the wine industry and their wine research immensely, and look forward to working with them closely over the next few years.”

Stevens added: “The IMW champions knowledge and excellence in the global wine community, which is why we have chosen to partner with this prestigious organisation. Here at Silicon Valley Bank’s Wine Division, we appreciate the challenges of this great industry, and the rewards it brings. Our association with IMW aligns with our goals to go well beyond banking and act as strategic advisors and brand ambassadors to wine proprietors using our global network.”