James , tell us more about your background . My background is in branding and integrated agencies , having headed up the UK and European arm of Hakuhodo Inc , the world ’ s eighth largest communications and innovation network . At Hakuhodo , I worked with brands including E & J Gallo , Asahi Beer , Youngs Pubs , Cunard and Adidas .
What was your latest role before joining Knight Frank ? Before joining Knight Frank , I was managing director at Squerryes Wine Estate , a family owned 2,500-acre working English estate on the North Downs . Since 2017 , I have been responsible for the estate ’ s growth plans by creating a strong performing wine , hospitality and retail business . In my seven years with Squerryes , I turned the company from a boutique family run winery into an award-winning premium UK wine brand and destination – delivering a distinct brand , onsite food and drink offerings and building a 2,600-person strong membership programme .
In 2018 , during my time at Squerryes , I helped to create and lead the Wine Garden of England , a group of eight wineries which exists to position Kent as the number one wine tourism destination in the UK .
What will your new role involve ? At Knight Frank , I ’ ll work with Ed Mansel Lewis , head of viticulture , to support our clients with a holistic consultancy offering . My focus will be helping wine producers with ‘ profitable placemaking ’; this includes advising on how to drive higher value wine businesses , defining a consumer-led brand , maximising the potential of owned retail and creating a hospitalityled destination with a strong community and membership at its heart .
I am delighted to have joined Ed and the Knight Frank team to help further develop its marketleading consultancy services . I look forward to working with the firm ’ s clients and new entrants on growing their margin and P & L through outstanding visitor destinations and talked-about brands . Implementing my learnings and experience gained at Squerryes to deliver strong consultancy advice across a wide range of other English wine brands is an exciting prospect .
How can Knight Frank support the viticulture sector ? Knight Frank ’ s viticulture strategy is to help English wine estates and producers create a more sustainable commercial platform for future growth . The firm ’ s offering focuses on three core pillars : market-leading property solutions , talked-about brands and outstanding visitor destinations .
Ed Mansel Lewis , head of viticulture at Knight Frank , said : “ I am delighted that James is joining us . I respect and admire his understanding of how to optimise the direct-to-consumer model within wine businesses . The significant cost of producing sparkling wine means that businesses must have a strategy to increase bottle sales through the cellar door at a full retail margin , and James helps businesses achieve this in a way that ’ s thoughtful and very hard to imitate .”
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