After fulfilling a six-year tenure as a WSET trustee, including two years as chairman of the board of trustees, James Simpson MW has stepped down from his position, passing the chairmanship on to Nick Hyde.
Hyde represents the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, of which he is a previous chairman, and is also chairman of Vranken Pommery UK.
The WSET says he will now lead the eight wine and spirits industry leaders on the board of trustees who will support and guide WSET as it continues its expansion internationally and into the digital and spirits arenas following 15 consecutive years of growth.
Simpson said: "As chairman I was particularly proud to work with the WSET team to steer international growth and secure the trust’s future with the purchase of new additional premises in London at Baden Place.”
Hyde said: “I’ve been part of a board that has worked closely with chief executive Ian Harris in developing a transformational plan for the future growth of WSET that will reinforce its global leadership.
"Now, as chairman, my role and that of the board will be to ensure that the conditions are in place for the successful transition to this exciting next chapter. It will certainly be a challenge made easier by the extraordinary energy and commitment of the WSET team,” said Hyde.
Stepping down from his two-year position as chairman of Berry Bros. & Rudd’s family board, Simon McMurtrie has now joined WSET’s board of trustees, representing the Vintners' Company. McMurtrie began his association with the wine trade in 1991 as managing director of Mitchell Beazley, publisher of Michael Broadbent, Hugh Johnson, Jancis Robinson and Steven Spurrier - all WSET honorary presidents. From 2008 to 2015, McMurtrie was group chief executive of Laithwaite’s Wine responsible for their international expansion.
McMurtrie said: “The international expansion of Laithwaite’s Wine mirrored that of WSET and so I’m in the lucky position of having worked closely with Ian Harris and his talented team over a number of years. As the WSET charts the next chapter in its history as the global leader in wine and spirits education, I look forward to providing challenge and support in my role as a trustee.”
Hyde and McMurtrie will be working closely with WSET’s senior management team as well as the other WSET trustees, Troy Christensen, Rick Connor, Jonathan Driver, Susan McCraith MW, Simon Thorpe MW and Michael Turner.
