ACFWS

The Office

Sophie Roberts-Brown, Executive Director

Sophie Roberts-Brown joined the Academy of Food & Wine in 2003. 15 years in PR and marketing and her previous role at the Restaurant Association has proved invaluable for re-positioning the Academy as a highly respected, professional organisation. Since 2005 Sophie has been the General Manager of the Academy and this year, 2008, she was made Executive Director of the company. Sophie combines the day-to-day management of the business with developing the Academy’s strategy. She also spends much of her time, liaising with potential sponsors for the Academy and developing new business leads and fundraising activities.

Nicky Barwood, Administrator

Joining in 1999 Nicky is the longest standing office member at the Academy. Nicky’s main job role is the financial and membership administration for the Academy. She also co-ordinates all the administration for the Sommelier of the Year competition and the Wine Quiz.

Helen Glen, Events Manager

Helen joined the Academy in the middle of 2008. Joining us from our sector skills council, People 1st, Helen has also previously worked for Hospitality Leisure Manpower. Her role will comprise managing and organising the Academy's extensive events programme so her previous experience will be a huge asset.

Lord Thurso, MP, Patron

Viscount John Thurso has agreed to continue his long standing support of the Academy in the new role of Patron. Lord Thurso's roles have included General Manager of the Hotel Lancaster in Paris, Founder General Manager of Cliveden and Managing Director of the company that owns Champneys health resort - a position he gave up on his election to parliament in 2001. The Academy is delighted to welcome Lord Thurso into his new position.

Roy Ackerman, CBE, FIH, FAFW, President

In November 2007 Roy Ackerman CBE, FIH, FAFW was appointed President of the AFW. This is a result of a strategic review conducted by the Board of Directors of the Academy with the intention of raising the profile of the Academy within the Industry. Roy comments, "I am delighted to accept this prestigious position and I look forward to helping to deliver the Academy's strategy of strengthening its ties within the industry and to ensure it is recognised as the leading developer of front of house service skills. It is long overdue to rank top class front of house service delivery alongside culinary expertise".

The Board

Nick Scade MBE, FIH, Chairman and Chief Executive

As Chairman of the Academy, Nick Scade’s role is to oversee the Academy’s efforts to train and educate food and beverage serving staff in the UK. Nick Scade has spent some thirty years in the hotel and restaurant industry, with twenty five years of that time specialising in food and beverage operations in the hotel, restaurant and casino businesses. He was one of the founders of the Academy of Wine Service in 1988, and in 1999 he was awarded the MBE, in the Queens Birthday Honours List, for his services to training and education within the hotel and restaurant industry.

Paul Breach, OBE, Deputy Chairman & Director, Strategy & Communications

Jeremy M. Rata FIH, MI, Director

David Read

David, who is chief executive of specialist procurement consultancy Prestige Purchasing, has previously held senior management roles in the hotel industry, including that of purchasing director within the Forte group. He believes that in applying 'best practice' to buying, organisations can achieve major profit improvement.

David Battersby, OBE, MSc, FIH

David Battersby is Managing Director of Hospitality and Leisure Manpower and has responsibility within the Academy for education and training matters. He has over thirty years experience within the industry, and was previously Director of Training for the Hotel and Catering Training Board.He is a Past President of the Hotel & Catering International Management Association (HCIMA) and in 1998 he was awarded the OBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to the Hospitality Industry.

Gerard Basset MS, MW

Gerard Basset, originally from St Etienne in France, was co-founder of the Hotel du Vin & Bistro Group with hotels now situated throughout the UK. He currently owns and runs the Terravina Hotel in the New Forest. Previously as Head Sommelier of Chewton Glen, he won the UK Wine Waiter of the Year Award in 1992, and gained silver twice in the World Sommelier championships. He is now responsible for all the Academy’s competition training and selection for front-of-house candidates.

Marc Verstringhe, Director

A Belgian by birth, and possessing a broad European perspective, Marc moved to England in 1957 when he joined the Lygon Arms. He moved to Sutcliffe Catering and was appointed Group Managing Director in 1971 prior to setting up his own business, Catering & Allied, in 1975.Marc is the Harry Hansen Business Fellow at the Centre for International Business and Management, University of Cambridge, and has won numerous industry awards such as The Catey Award, FCSI Award of Special Distinction, the HCIMA Award for Personal Achievement in the World-wide Hospitality Industry and is a Commandeur of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin.

Matt Wilkin, MS, The Chairman of the UK Guild of Wine Service and Conor O’Leary, The Chairman of the UK Guild of Restaurant Service are also both ex officio Directors of the Academy.