All-female shortlist for Julian Brind award

The International Wine & Spirit Competition has announced a five-strong, all-female shortlist for the Julian Brind Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Wine Industry 2014.

Following last year’s win by London sommelier and restaurateur Xavier Rousset MS, this year’s nominees are journalist Maggie Rosen, Wine Car Boot founder Ruth Spivey, director of Wines of Chile UK Anita Jackson, Selfridges wine & spirit buyer Dawn Davies, and TV presenter Kate Goodman.

With a previous career in the banking sector, Maggie Rosen retrained as a journalist and spent two and a half years as editor of World of Fine Wine. She now writes about wine and other subjects for publications including Decanter, and the Financial Times’ How To Spend It magazine.

Ruth Spivey entered the wine trade after 10 years as a fashion model. After working for Michelin-starred London restaurants Arbutus and Wild Honey, she launched the Street Vin pop-up bar and last year introduced the Wine Car Boot tasting event for independent merchants.

Having worked as campaign manager for Wines of Chile UK, this year saw Anita Jackson take the helm following the sad death from cancer of former director Michael Cox. She now holds responsibility for promoting the quality and image of Chilean wine in the UK, and in particular the 93 member wineries belonging to Vinos de Chile who together represent 90% of the country’s wine exports.

In charge of the wine and spirits range across Selfridges’ four stores, as well as its online outlet, Dawn Davies manages over 2,000 SKUs and five restaurant lists. Last year she oversaw the opening of a new wine shop and Wonderbar in the luxury retailer’s London flagship.

After posting her own YouTube videos about wine, Kate Goodman was headhunted by the BBC to become the “wine expert” on its new Food & Drink show alongside chef Michel Roux Jr. In 2003 she set up her own business called Reserve Wines, an independent merchant based in Manchester.

Set up in memory of Julian Brind MW, who died in 2010, the award seeks to “highlight a man or woman who demonstrates they have the courage of their convictions, dedication to the industry and passion for real wine.”

The winner from this year’s shortlist will be announced at the IWSC Awards Banquet on 12 November at the Guildhall in London.