About Andrew
About Andrew
A career built around wine, people and business.
Andrew Hawes spent almost three decades with Mentzendorff & Co Ltd, one of the UK's leading fine wine distributors and part of the Bollinger family group, including nineteen years as Managing Director.
His career began at Matthew Clark in 1985, rising from graduate management trainee to National Accounts Manager, and included two years as Joint Managing Director of Champagne de Venoge in the UK.
Alongside his executive career, Andrew chaired the UK Champagne Agents Association for seven years and held non-executive and trustee roles with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, the Wine & Spirit Trade Association and The Drinks Trust. More recently he advised Groupe Bollinger on UK market strategy.
Today, Andrew works independently, helping hospitality businesses, producers and private clients turn wine knowledge into commercial results.
Career
Career at a glance
2023 – 2024
Groupe Bollinger — Strategic Advisor
Advising on UK market strategy.
2004 – 2023
Mentzendorff & Co Ltd — Managing Director
Nineteen years leading one of the UK's leading fine wine distributors, part of the Bollinger family group.
1996 – 2004
Mentzendorff & Co Ltd — Commercial leadership roles
National Accounts Director, then Sales Director and Sales & Marketing Director.
1994 – 1996
Champagne de Venoge — Joint Managing Director
UK joint venture for the Champagne house.
1985 – 1994
Matthew Clark — Graduate trainee to National Accounts Manager
Commercial training across sales, marketing and national accounts.
Boards & Governance
- UK Champagne Agents Association — Chairman
- 2016 – 2023. Representing members' interests to the Comité Champagne in Epernay and the Champagne Information Bureau in the UK, and the legal defence of the Champagne appellation.
- The Drinks Trust — Non-Executive Director & Trustee
- 2013 – 2022. Charity board member; profile and fund-raising for the charity from 2005 to 2022.
- Wine & Spirit Education Trust — Non-Executive Director & Trustee
- 2012 – 2017. Governance of the global wine and spirits education body.
- Wine & Spirit Trade Association — Non-Executive Director
- 2010 – 2016. Board of the UK trade association.
Education & Qualifications
- Wine & Spirit Education Trust
- Diploma in Wine
- University of Warwick
- BA, Philosophy and Politics
- Ashridge Executive Education, Hult
- Organizational Leadership
- Institute of Grocery Distribution
- Diploma in Marketing
Leadership
Senior leadership experience in the UK fine wine trade, including nineteen years as Managing Director of Mentzendorff.
Independence
Advice shaped by your objectives, free from the pressure of selling any particular range.
Network
A trusted network of specialists brought in where a project needs additional depth.
A conversation is a good place to start.
Whether you're looking to improve your hospitality wine programme, develop your presence in the UK market or seek specialist wine advice, Andrew would welcome the opportunity to discuss your requirements.
Arrange a Consultation