WSET appoints dedicated US team

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has appointed a dedicated team in the US, which is one of its fastest growing markets.

The education provider has appointed David Rudman as business development director and Rob McCaughey as business development manager – spirits.

Their role will be to support and develop the on-going growth in the number of applicants to the WSET programmes across the country. They will work with London-based David Wrigley MW who has been developing the US business to date.

Over 11,000 students had enrolled on WSET courses in the academic year that ended on 31 July 2017 – up from 500 in 2001.

Both are former WSET students as well certified educators. Rudman joins from Brescome Barton – a wine and spirit distributor in Connecticut and McCaughey joins from Palate Partners School of Wines and Spirits in Pittsburgh.

Commenting on the new appointment, Ian Harris, WSET chief executive said: “I am delighted to welcome Dave and Rob to the WSET team, their expertise and market knowledge will be invaluable as we look to further define WSET’s position in the US, while continuing to support and nurture our existing network of APPs, candidates and graduates”

Rudman commented: “I look forward to expanding WSET’s presence in the US market and leveraging the importance of formal certifications in wines, spirits and sake within the dynamic US drinks sector.”