Anthony Berry 1915-2010

Anthony Berry, former chairman of UK wine merchant Berry Bros & Rudd, died this week at the age of 94.

Described as “the last of the old-fashioned wine merchants”, Berry joined the family business in 1936 and took over as chairman in 1965.

Despite the fact that his main focus was wine, the following 20 years under his stewardship were highly successful for the business through the growth of Cutty Sark Scots Whisky – invented by his father – in export markets.

He acquired something approaching elder statesman status in the wine and spirit world, having served for many years on various bodies associated with the trade, not least the Vintners’ Company, of which he became Master in 1980.

A BBR statement said: “He was in many ways the last of the old-fashioned wine merchants. He only gave up wearing a bowler hat on his way to work when he found he was being photographed by tourists as a curiosity.

“Many of Berry’s recent innovations were far from his conservative instincts: he even disliked the ‘modern’ practise of displaying bottles on shelves instead of in the cellar, referring to the comparatively modern side shops in the St James’s Street headquarters as ‘the supermarkets’.”

Although Anthony Berry retired as chairman almost 30 years ago he was still a non-executive director, and a regular visitor to St James’s Street, until his 90th birthday.

He passed away on Tuesday, 23 February.

Alan Lodge, 25.02.2010