The new IWC leadership team: Lucy Marcuson, Events Manager, Lee Sharkey, Commercial Director, and Adriana Lyon-Shaw, Head of Digital Marketing. Image courtesy International Wine Challenge

The International Wine Challenge, now under the ownership of Chris Ashton, has announced a new leadership team, which Ashton says will bring fresh energy, expertise and innovation to the International Wine Challenge.

Lee Sharkey joins as commercial director, having previously worked as publisher at Harpers Wine & Spirit and Drinks Retailing magazines as well as being Event Director for SITT at Agile Media.  Also new to the team is events manager Lucy Marcuson, who has previously worked in events, marketing and PR for Armit Wines, Lea & Sandeman, 67 Pall Mall and The Drinks Trust. Adriana Lyon-Shaw has been appointed as head of digital marketing having worked for Alibaba, the multinational technology company specialising in e-commerce and recently with Ashton on his Drink Japan event. Chris Boiling remains the editor of Canopy, the fortnightly International Wine Challenge newsletter which goes out to 41,000 registered users in 75 countries.

“I am delighted to have been able to recruit a new team with a wealth of wine trade knowledge and experience to help me deliver my plans for the International Wine Challenge,” said Ashton, adding that his plan was for the Challenge to continue to evolve.

“Some things aren’t changing—our rigorous judging process remains at the core of what we do,” he explained.

“Each April, 500 judges from 40 countries convene in London to ensure that each medal winning wine is tasted 12 times, providing an unparalleled breadth of opinion.”

Ashton said that co-chairs Oz Clarke, Tim Atkin MW, Jamie Goode, Helen McGinn, Sam Caporn MW and Peter McCombie MW would remain part of the International Wine Challenge legacy.

The annual awards dinner will return to its original timing in September, taking place on 9th September at The Guildhall in London.

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