Meet Our Team

James' love of wine began back at school, where he persuaded them to launch a wine club. The other founder member from his class was Jason Haynes, founder of Flint Wines, so there must have been something in the water – or maybe the wine! With an original grounding in finance, he's worked in and around the wine industry for thirty years, from working for a national brewer and running a chain of City wine bars, to spending many years working with Michael Saunders building Bibendum into a success. Outside his love of wine, he fills his limited spare time somewhere near a rugby pitch, skiing, or arguing with friends about current affairs. 

Catherine joined Lay & Wheeler in January 2020. Her career began in 2010 working in wineries all around the world during harvest, alongside positions at Robert Rolls & Co and Goedhuis & Co. In 2017 she became a Master of Wine with a research paper on Sancerre’s greatest vineyards. The area remains one of her favourites to buy, sell, collect, and pour blind. She also specialises in Burgundy, curating and constantly updating Lay &Wheeler’s historic list covering everything from the great domaines to fresh new talent. Her insider’s knowledge of the region after seven vintages in Burgundy marks her out in the industry.

Bryony joined Lay & Wheeler in summer 2024, having previously held a variety of HR roles, which enabled her to understand the full HR lifecycle. This led her to the role of People Partner which encompasses so many aspects of the employee journey, from learning and development, to recruitment and benefits. She’s excited about the possibilities at Lay & Wheeler, with a strong focus on growth for current team members, and new starters in the future. When she’s not in the office, she loves hosting friends and family at home, ideally with a crisp, pale rosé in hand.

After graduating from Imperial University, Adrian worked as a geologist before realising his passion lay in wine. He joined Oddbins for just over a year and then moved to the independent fine wine merchant La Vigneronne in South Kensington, later purchased by James Handford MW and renamed Handford Wines. After five years, Adrian went to Corney & Barrow on the private client side before joining Lay & Wheeler in 2007. He’s worked with private clients here since, taking a particular interest in Burgundy, Bordeaux and the finest examples of Riesling. Adrian completed the WSET Diploma in 2001.

Will’s ever-increasing number of grey hairs are testament to his two greatest loves: fine wine and family. Joining Majestic as a graduate in 2000, he spent 11 years managing their high profile stores in the South, before moving to Suffolk in 2011 to become a part of L&W. Since then, he’s enjoyed helping his clients find the right wines for the right occasions. His favourite wine changes from day to day but will certainly include something from Bordeaux, Tuscany or Champagne. He's a doting father of three and indulges his precious spare time enjoying live music, watching his local football team and occasionally cycling (to the pub).

Victoria joined us in 2003 after working in the IT sector in Cambridge, having first graduated with a psychology degree and worked for a local wine merchant where she developed a love of wine. Victoria joins us several days a week, whilst also looking after her three boys. Her favourite regions are the Rhone, Languedoc and the Loire, as well as Champagne. In her spare time (when she is not ferrying her boys around!) she enjoys running, going on walks with friends and playing the piano and cello.

Camilla (Mills) joined Lay & Wheeler in the summer of 2024 to lead our expanding Partnerships team. Before entering the wine industry, Mills lived another life competing horses at international level. After hanging up her boots, she joined the wine trade, working for an independent wine merchant, until she was drawn to Lay & Wheeler by the breadth of wines offered and the exciting journey with Coterie Holdings. When she’s not dreaming up exciting ways to attract new customers, she still rides regularly and loves anything adrenaline-fuelled. Following a trip to Tuscany with customers, her most recent wine discovery is Brunello di Montalcino.

Samantha joined Lay & Wheeler in December 2023, starting in the Supply Chain team, and moving to Private Client Sales Support in 2025. She previously spent four years in high end hospitality followed by eight years in the wine trade, working for Majestic and small independent merchants. She loves the day-to-day challenges that come up in her role, as well as being able to use her wine knowledge wherever possible (she has completed her WSET Level 3 and hopes to continue this education). Outside of work, Samantha can be found sailing, skiing or cycling - anything outdoors! And all rewarded with a glass of white Burgundy or an Italian red.  

After seventeen years working within the hospitality industry, including twelve years managing the bar and wine programme at a local award-winning gastro pub, 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 and managing a bar in Madrid. He has completed the WSET Level 3 course. Away from the office he enjoys fishing of all kinds, with a particular love for fly fishing, cooking, time with his family, good food and of course, great wines!

Robert joined the Buying team as a Senior Buyer in summer 2024. His journey into wine began at the University of Cambridge where he studied an MA in Musicology and Social Theory, alongside WSET courses. Finding a number of transferrable skills between the world of Music and Sociology, and Wine, he started working at Bibendum, where he quickly became a Fine Wine Buyer. Until earlier this year, Robert was responsible for Bordeaux, the Rhone, USA, and Germany at Bordeaux Index. 

After graduating from the University of Bristol, Tom was inspired to join the wine industry following a brief experience working with a friend at a vineyard in Marin County, California. After stints in the Clare Valley, Hawkes Bay, and at a winery in his native Hampshire, Tom joined the Lay & Wheeler team in May of 2023. He holds the WSET level 3 and an MSc in Vineyard and Winery Management from Bordeaux Sciences Agro. Away from work and his studies, he is unsuccessfully trying to shave seconds off his local parkrun time.

Fanqi Yang joined Lay & Wheeler in April 2025 in a new role of Digital Marketing Executive. Originally from Shanghai, she studied Art History at the University of St Andrews, and subsequently at UCL, where she completed her Masters. She brings a wealth of experience in digital marketing, across a range of industries, and hopes to use this to help make wine more accessible and engaging to a broader audience, also putting her WSET Level 2 to good use. Outside of work, she loves cooking, experimenting with British ingredients to recreate Chinese dishes. Accompanying these feasts, she loves a Gewurztraminer and those rose and lychee aromas!

Issy joined in the autumn of 2016 after starting her career in hospitality. 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 anything sparkling as well as enjoying a good Pinot Noir. Issy has completed the WSET Level 3, passing with merit. When not at work, she’s likely to be walking her Labrador on the beach, out rowing with her local rowing club or enjoying a good meal with her friends.

In January 2017, Ksenia became part of the Customer Care team. Ksenia brings with her experience in hospitality, working in and managing several restaurants. She also has several years’ experience as a personal banker at Lloyds TSB Bank. Ksenia has begun to learn more about fine wine since joining the team and enjoys our regular tasting. Outside the office, Ksenia is most likely spending time with her daughter. She has completed the WSET Level 2, passing with distinction.

Jo, a Suffolk native, joined the Lay & Wheeler customer care team in April 2023. She brings a wealth of customer service experience as well as a solid knowledge of the freight forwarding industry making her perfectly placed to help connect our clients with the right wines. For Jo herself, the ‘right wine’ is usually a glass of tasty Sauvignon Blanc. Away from work, she can be found walking her dog, practising yoga, or indulging her passion for floristry.

Shayla joined Lay & Wheeler in April 2023 as Financial Planning and Analysis Manager. She holds AAT and ACCA qualifications, obtaining the former in 2009 and the latter in 2012. Before joining Lay & Wheeler, she spent 19 years within a multinational corporation in the port industry. She brings experience in budgeting, forecasting, and providing finance partnering to different departments of the business. Outside of work she enjoys keeping active - and chasing after her two sons. She also has an affinity for Right Bank Bordeaux, particularly St-Emilion.

Agnes is originally from Warsaw, Poland but now calls Colchester her home. She has a Masters in Management in Tourism, her AAT Level 2 accounting qualification, and is working towards the next level. Her work experience has taken her from the travel industry to administration, working for logistics companies and customs, all contributing to her role now within our finance team. Outside of Lay & Wheeler, Agnes loves to travel and explore new places, but her favourite pastime is spending time with her children and their dog. She’s busy learning everything she can about wine so is not ready to commit to a favourite, yet.

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 favourite wine is Tokaji Essenzia. A devoted father, Rick spends his time outside the office with his two daughters.

Fazil originally hails from India, but he relocated to the UK for university, completing an Msc in Cyber Security at Swansea University in 2023. He joined Lay & Wheeler in 2024, and has proven himself invaluable to the team in tackling many of our IT challenges head on. When he’s not at work, he loves getting out on his motorcycle, enjoying the freedom of the open road. He also has a strong passion for cooking and trying out new recipes, and enjoys gaming or watching movies with friends when he’s looking to unwind.

Keeley joined Lay & Wheeler in July 2021 as Shipping Coordinator and now manages our Supply Chain team. Her previous experience included office management roles in the optical industry and as head of logistics for the MoD and CarillonAmey. Outside of work, she plays football for a local Women's Division and is a qualified football coach, with a particular passion for encouraging more girls into the sport. Her favourite spirit is team spirit!

Mags has been part of the Supply Chain team at Lay & Wheeler since December 2023. Originally from Poland, she holds a Diploma in Environmental Technology, and worked as technician for Suffolk-based brewer Muntons prior to joining Lay & Wheeler. She loves the daily challenges that her job presents: the team is always busy, so she relaxes by going to the gym, or spending time with family - ideally over a glass of Rioja.