Meet our team

Katy joined Lay & Wheeler in January 2016 and became Managing Director in the summer of the same year. Previously, she ran the service development team at onefinestay, a UK-based hospitality startup, for four years, after a year at the wine sale site Lot18 in New York City. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and an AB from Princeton University, where she majored in French and Italian. Between university and graduate school, she was a Fulbright Scholar in Italy studying artisan cheese. She also holds a WSET Diploma, having graduated with merit.

Rick began working at Lay & Wheeler over Christmas, when Lay & Wheeler had a shop in Colchester in 1995. He returned to work there during university holidays while at the University of East Anglia, and worked the harvest at Rauzan-Segla in Bordeaux, too. Upon graduation, Rick joined the team full time, initially responsible for managing tastings, before assuming responsibility for technical support. Today, Rick manages our website and the technology behind it. With a self-professed sweet tooth, Rick’s favorite wine is Tokaji Essenzia. A devoted father, Rick spends his time outside the office watching his two daughters play tennis.

Suzie started on our operations team in June 2019. She attended university in her native Budapest in Hungary, studying both IT and hospitality. Since moving to the UK in 2011, Suzie’s taken on several roles in hospitality, before shifting focus to warehousing and logistics where she is also earning a degree in supply chain management. When she is not looking after wine logistics at Lay & Wheeler, she has a love for extreme sports (and even wrote her thesis about them) and photography, though is most likely playing Lego with her son.

After graduating from the University of Cambridge, Robbie worked in Majestic stores in the southeast for nine months. He joined the team at L&W in 2014, initially responsible for marketing, and was promoted to Buyer at the end of 2016. Robbie completed the WSET Diploma in 2019, winning a scholarship, and is now working towards the Master of Wine. He’s responsible for buying all regions aside from those covered by Catherine or John, focusing on Bordeaux, Italy, and South Africa, as well as merchandising. In his spare time, Robbie enjoys sport and lives on a working farm in East Sussex. He also speaks near fluent French and passable Italian.

John graduated with honours from the University of Nottingham with a BSc in Chemistry in 2015. During that time and after university, he worked at the Sun Inn in Dedham and Church Street Tavern in Colchester, establishments known for their excellent wine lists. He finished the WSET level 3 in 2017 and is currently studying toward the Diploma. John joined Lay & Wheeler in January 2017 to assist in operations , including stock movement and management. He has since moved into the buying team and besides supporting Robbie and Catherine, he now looks after the wines of Australia, New Zealand and California.

Sarah began her wine career with Lay & Wheeler in 2006, after graduating in English and Classics from Nottingham University. She received her WSET Diploma while working in the sales team before leaving to spend a year travelling around South America. She now lives in Wiltshire where, when not dashing around after two energetic children, she can be found enjoying solitary runs through the Cotswold countryside and wishing she had a dog. Her wine of choice is an Argentinian Malbec, shared with friends over a summer BBQ.

Simon joined Lay & Wheeler to head efforts to increase the merchant’s work with private clients, both in the UK and coming from abroad, who have significant cellars. Previously, Simon worked at Berry Bros. & Rudd where he built their fine wine business over 23 years which included time overseas. Simon got his start in the wine trade at Harrods. He loves Bordeaux at all levels for its consistency and class, as well as top growers from Burgundy, Northern Rhone and Ribera. Openly, and frequently, he remarks he's waiting to have his epiphany about any wine from Italy, which is especially awkward for him as he's half Sicilian.

While studying French and Spanish at Newcastle University, Alice spent 6 industrious months at Ch. Haut-Bailly, where her love of wine was ignited. After a year at Majestic, she moved to Berry Bros. & Rudd, for a spell in their St James’s shop before switching focus to London institutions and corporate sales. She joined Lay & Wheeler in September 2020. She is one step from completing the WSET Diploma. She loves walking the South West coast path (with a good Riesling), swimming the cold seas of East Devon and, naturally, wine. Bordeaux and German Riesling remain her first loves but she also has a soft spot for all things fortified.

David discovered his passion for fine wine at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire where he was butler to the 11th Duke of Devonshire and Deborah Mitford, the then Duchess and their family. Having served wine to luminaries such as Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, he took this excellent apprenticeship to London where he began a 24-year career in both retail and direct wine sales. Having sold wines in Spain, Italy, Germany, China, Hong Kong and South Africa, David joined us in the spring of 2016 to lead our fine wine advisory and customer care teams.

When Will joined our team in July 2011, he was familiar with the Majestic family having spent eleven years within the group. He began his career in wine at the Brighton store before moving up as manager between the Guildford, East Grinstead, Reigate, Chichester stores. Will completed the WSET Level 3 in 2001 and has nearly completed the WSET Diploma. With deep knowledge of our entire wine portfolio, Will is a frequent guest of honour at client wine tastings, known as something of a jack of all trades. However, he particularly enjoys Italian wines, especially Tuscany. Outside the office, Will is an avid cyclist.

In 2004, Karen joined Lay & Wheeler to manage fine wine trading. She had been working as the General Manager of a small Welsh vineyard, with responsibility for everything from production to the commercial side, which included selling their wine to the House of Commons. Karen completed the WSET Level 3 in 2013. She specialises in Bordeaux and Burgundy, and when she’s not helping to sell wine on behalf of our customers, she’s likely enjoying a good bottle of Bordeaux with her family, or perhaps on a trip to her favorite wine region, the Côte de Beaune.

After seventeen years working within the hospitality industry, the past twelve of which were spent managing the wine programme at a local award-winning pub and wine store, Sam decided to pursue his interest in fine wine at Lay & Wheeler as a wine advisor. His love of fine wine extends beyond the usual suspects like Burgundy into Alsace, New Zealand and in particular, Spain, as he spent nearly two years working there. He has completed the WSET Level 3 course.  Away from the office he enjoys a spot of fly fishing for trout, cooking and forever trying to teach himself the guitar.

After nineteen years at Pieroth Wines, a family wine business with a history in wine stretching back over three centuries, Iestyn joined Lay & Wheeler in October 2016. Prior to a career in wine, Iestyn had experience in hospitality, including responsibility for the wine list at a small, privately held hotel. This exposure piqued his interest, and he has worked in wine ever since. Today, he manages the Fine Wine Discovery Club and looks after these members.

Issy joined in the autumn of 2016 after experience in hospitality, having worked at the Orwell Hotel in Felixstowe and at the Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club.  Her role spans all activities that ensure our customers and their wines are cared for, and that we go above and beyond to deliver the best possible service. Issy has a preference for New World reds like the wines of Penfolds, a good Pinot Noir and sparkling wines. Issy has completed the WSET Level 2, passing with distinction, and Level 3, passing with merit. When not at work, she’s likely to be walking her labradoodle on the beach, or enjoying a good meal with her friends.

After graduating from Canterbury Christ Church University, Sharon spent many years working overseas in Europe, Asia and Africa teaching both maths and English. While abroad, she also ran training programmes predominantly within the oil industry. It’s from both this exposure to other countries and cultures, as well as a course at university, that sparked her interest in food and wine. In her spare time, Sharon enjoys reading and listening to podcasts on food and drink, and trying out new recipes. Sharon has successfully passed the WSET Levels 2 and 3, earning distinction both times.

Before joining Lay & Wheeler Sam spent 16 years in a role supporting young people and their families. Ready for a career change, Sam was keen to learn more about wine at Lay & Wheeler, joining us in 2018 as a customer care advisor. She completed the WSET Level 2 course in 2019 and is also a qualified reflexologist. Outside of the office, Sam enjoys eating out, cooking and going to gigs.

David arrived in November 2019 to head up the newly formed Finance department as part of Lay & Wheeler’s independence under new ownership. David was previously the Finance Director at The Edward Alexander Group and most recently lead a recovery and growth project as Finance and Operations Director of its subsidiary, Gainsborough, established in 1903 and holder of a Royal Warrant. He also has deep experience in financial accounting, reporting and controls. David holds a 2008 QBE - Part Qualified ACA. Outside of work, David has a young family, enjoying travel, culture and wine!

Joni joined Lay & Wheeler in September 2020 as Finance Assistant. Originating from South Africa, she moved to Wales before settling in England in 2017. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in community and health psychology, but soon realised her passion for numbers and is busy studying towards her AAT qualification. When she is not in the office or studying, she enjoys reading a good book or spending time in nature.