Lawrence joined the WSET as general administrator in 1978 before beginning work as a lecturer, where former CEO Ian Harris said he showed a flair for teaching which belied his calm demeanour.
“When I became CEO of WSET in 2002, Gareth was the senior lecturer, working alongside Michael Buriak and the late Godfrey Spence, at the WSET London School, which at the time was based in Five Kings House in Upper Thames Street,” said Harris.
“On moving to Bermondsey Street in 2005, Gareth embraced the new WSET Spirits programmes enthusiastically, quickly becoming one of the lead educators as WSET increased its portfolio of qualifications and expanded its global reach.
“He was invited to join the Worshipful Company of Distillers and took an active part in their activities. He was a very private man, and very quiet and unassuming until he was in front of a classroom, or an examination room full of nervous students where he took charge with great authority.”
Following his retirement from full-time teaching in 2013, Lawrence continued to work part-time marking examination scripts, but his health continued to decline, and he died peacefully in hospital on 22nd July 2025.
