Our Team

Brett has spent his entire working life in the wine industry. He trained as a winemaker back in his native New Zealand before moving to Europe, making wines predominantly in France. Much of his career has been spent building premium wine brands on a global scale on behalf of iconic producers and, after being based in the UK for over 35 years, has a deep knowledge of the UK market. An accomplished international wine judge, Brett joined the Armit family in November 2019 with the vision to turn Armit into a truly world class premium distributor of Iconic brands. His outside interests are his family, golf (admittedly terrible!), drinking fine wine with friends, cooking and entertaining, gardening and a holiday somewhere hot with a pool and a beer!

Nicolas Clerc MS has been working for Armit Wines since October 2018. Previously, he worked at Fields, Morris and Verdin as an Prestige account manager after working in the restaurant industry for 14 years. Clerc won UK Sommelier of the Year in 2007 and became a Master Sommelier in 2010. Clerc is President and Founder of the United Kingdom Sommelier Academy. He is a regular judge at Decanter World Wine Awards, the IWSC awards and at the Catey’s Awards.

Raised in the South of France, between the Côte d'Azur and her family's vineyard in Languedoc, Hannah was immersed in the world of wine from an early age. After moving to the UK to study at the University of Bristol, she later settled in London, where her career in hospitality deepened her love for both food and wine, as well as for the vibrant city itself. In 2021, she joined the wine trade, focusing on buying, and has since achieved her WSET Diploma in Wine. When she's not savouring a fine Burgundy, you'll likely find her experimenting in the kitchen or discovering one of London’s many culinary gems.

Alessandro joined in July 2020 and is now a Brand Manager looking after Armit Wines' diverse portfolio of Italian producers. With over 10 of experience in the wine trade, he currently holds his WSET Diploma and keeps studying to expand his knowledge. He never turns down a good glass of wine, but has a penchant for Pinot Noir and characterful Mediterranean varietals such as Vermentino and Carricante. He is a big foodie and an avid consumer of all sorts of music. He also regularly judges at the IWC.

Alexandra joined Armit Wines in 2022 as a Brand Manager, becoming Head of Marketing & Communications in 2024. With over 17 years experience in the wine trade she not only has a background in marketing but also in wine education and wine & spirits journalism. She came on board to support the incredible portfolio of brands in the market and to help take Armit Wines to the next level of growth. In addition to her passion for wine, spirits and mixology, Alex loves both cooking and exercise in equal measure.

Alicia holds a bachelor's degree in commerce and marketing from the University of Adelaide and began her career working with global charitable organisations, where she focused on increasing brand visibility and loyalty. Born and raised in South Australia, her passion for wine led her to frequently explore the renowned wine regions on her doorstep, including the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, and the Adelaide Hills. In 2021, she joined a newly established winery in McLaren Vale, working in-house to develop its brand. Seeking to broaden her global perspective, she moved to London in June 2023. Alicia brings to Armit a wealth of experience in creative digital strategy, specialising in enhancing brand visibility and driving online engagement in the highly competitive wine market.

Shako joined the team in 2023, bringing with her valuable in-house marketing experience gained while working with a producer from the south of France. With Persian roots and a lifetime spent in Italy, she cultivated a deep passion for wine that eventually guided her to London, the vibrant hub of the wine industry. She is currently on an exciting journey towards earning her WSET Diploma, to further deepen her wine knowledge. Academically, she has a master’s degree in International Public Relations and Global Communications Management from Cardiff University, along with a background in linguistics which allows her to communicate in multiple languages, enriching her professional expertise. In her free time, she enjoys photography, fitness and discovering wine bars and music venues around the city.

Following a Master’s degree in Shakespeare at University College London, William entered the world of rare books and manuscripts. Working in Hamburg, he discovered the great wines of Germany and picked grapes on the Mosel, prompting a change in career. William joined the wine department at Christie’s, working first as an intern and then in client strategy. After returning to Germany to sell wines to Berlin's top restaurants, he joined Armit Wines in 2018. He loves the wines of Piedmont, Burgundy, and Germany, and holds a WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits.

Peter has been with Armit since 2014 when he transitioned into the world of fine wine after a career in the City. He has had a fondness for all things vinous from an early age, with a predilection for the Old World and Burgundy in particular. He was lucky enough to explore many of Burgundy’s cellars while living in Geneva in the early ‘90s and is agnostic on geography and grape variety when it comes to tasting - as long as a wine is well made and interesting!  The last few years have been an amazing opportunity for him to explore the fine wines of Italy.  In his spare time Peter loves to read and appreciate his wife’s fine cuisine - perhaps a bit too much!

Fran joins Armit Wines from a background in Wine Education but brings extensive experience working with private clients in her previous career in London’s prime property market. Her love of wine was born when, after finishing university, she moved to Western Australia and was introduced to the incredible wines of Margaret River. Since then, she has spent her spare time exploring as many of the world’s vineyards as she can, whilst also completing her wine qualifications. Fran holds her WSET Diploma and is also a certified French, Italian and Spanish Wine Scholar. She loves nothing better than a long walk with her cocker spaniel, followed by a well-earned glass of whatever the mood calls for! She has a particular interest in how growers are mitigating the effects of climate change and minimising their own impact on the environment.

Leaving investment banking behind, Natalia started a wine-fuelled journey, immersing herself in the industry through roles in wine shops, hospitality, and even a brief return to finance. This diverse experience, coupled with her focus on customer relationships, built a strong foundation for her wine career. At Armit, she further developed her skills in customer and sales support, and managing clients’ reserves, and now uncork new opportunities on the Private Client sales team. Outside of work, she cultivates an urban jungle at home (and shares her green thumb with the office!), catches West End shows, hikes scenic trails, and enjoys crime audiobooks with a good glass of wine – be it Burgundy or North Italy, or simply, whatever's good.

Freddie has been working with wine and spirit wholesalers in the on-trade sector in the UK since 1992, developing extensive experience in the industry. He has held key roles at prominent establishments, including Enotria Wine Cellars, Bibendum Wines, and Enotria & Coe. Freddie is excited to be part of the Armit Wines team, where he will continue to bring his passion and expertise.

With a passion for both food and wine, Fabrice’s journey began at a catering school in Paris, followed by earning a Higher Certificate from the WSET. In 1995, he moved to London and began a career with the Brands Hatch Hotel, later joining the prestigious Chapter One restaurant. In 1998 he started working with the advertising team for European Drinks Buyer. By 2000, he shifted to Wine International Magazine, a B2C publication, where he continued in advertising until 2005. Seeking a more hands-on role in the industry, Fabrice moved into on-trade sales as an Account Manager with Friarwood, where he served the London market until 2008. From 2008 to 2020, he worked with Enotria & Coe as a London on-trade Account Manager, developing strong relationships and expanding his expertise in the wine industry. Afterwards joining Vinothentic, where I stayed until 2024. Now, he’s excited to begin a new adventure with Armit Wines, having joined our team in September. Outside of work, Fabrice has a love for cooking and enjoys watching rugby.

Arriving in UK in 2006 from Italy, Riccardo worked in a variety of different roles in the wine trade, from shop manager at Oddbins to sommelier at Locanda Locatelli and Novikov, while attending WSET courses and gaining his diploma in 2011. After a role as head sommelier at Bocca di Lupo, Riccardo joined Liberty Wines for a ten-year stint as account manager first, eventually becoming also Top Italian Estates Brand Ambassador. Exceptionally fond of the wines of his native Tuscany, he is also partial to German wines and beer. In his free time Riccardo is a keen practitioner of Olympic weightlifting, a guitar player and a cinephile.

Simon started out in the wine trade with Enotria in 1989, following five years in the restaurant & hotel industry. Initially working in the off-trade Simon moved on to restaurants outside London, expanding their customer base over a 19 year period alongside developing a sales team that covered the south of the UK. It was over this extensive period that Simon developed his expertise and lifelong passion for Italian wines. In 2009, Simon opened his own independent wine merchant in Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire. Simon then joined Armit in 2011 to develop their presence outside London and is currently responsible for trade sales to both Retail, Restaurant and Hotel customers.

Steve’s journey of working the wine industry began in 2005 when arriving from South Africa. He started with Majestic Wine in retail before moving across to Majestic Commercial selling to the on-trade in East Anglia for 11 years before moving to Armit Wines in 2017. Steve looks after both our on and off trade outside of London.