UK PR director awarded first ever Vintners’ Benevolent Award

Alison Mann, account director at the UK PR agency Emma Wellings, has been awarded the inaugural Vintners’ Benevolent Award.

Anthony Sykes hands Alison Mann the Vintners’ Benevolent Award

Mann, who was handed the award at the Vintners’ Wine Trade Lunch on Friday 10 January, was praised by Master of the Vintners Anthony Sykes for her “notable contribution to the buddies” – a committee set up in 2007 to organise informal events to support The Benevolent.

He also described Mann as a “passionate advocate” of the drinks industry charity, as well as a person who has “raised awareness” and “secured much sponsorship” for The Benevolent.

The Vintners’ Benevolent Award was established by The Vintners’ Foundation in 2013 to acknowledge and celebrate a member of the trade, below senior management level, who has actively and passionately worked to support The Benevolent.

Having given Mann the award, Sykes added, “I hope that the standard set by Alison will be followed in years to come”.

As previously reported by the drinks business, The Vintners’ Company Wine Trade Lunch is designed for the British wine trade to get together in Vintners’ Hall and enjoy excellent food and wine, as well as meet friends and competitors.

All the proceeds from ticket sales are passed by the Vintners’ Company direct to The Benevolent, meaning that this year’s lunch raised almost £10,000 for the drinks industry’s charity.

This year’s guest speaker was Sir Lockwood Smith, High Commissioner of New Zealand to the UK, who told the 120 wine trade attendees that Britain is missing out on some of New Zealand’s best wines, in particular its top Chardonnays.