Academy of Food & Wine gains new recruits

The Academy of Food & Wine, the industry’s professional training body dedicated to skills, wine service and food service, has appointed Helen Glen as Events Manager to manage and oversee the association’s growing events portfolio which includes the Sommelier of the Year Competition along with master classes, tutorials and seminars.

Helen's experience includes working for People 1st as well as Hospitality and Leisure Manpower. "I am delighted to be given this opportunity to work with the Academy of Food & Wine, particularly at a time when the events side of the organisation is expanding and its industry training schemes – particularly Licence to Work (L2W™) - are becoming increasingly in demand," says Helen.

The Academy has also appointed general manager Sophie Roberts-Brown as a director of the company, along with Conor O'Leary and Matt Wilkin. Conor, food & beverage manager at Hyatt Hotels & Resorts' Andaz brand, is the Chairman of the Academy's UK Guild of Food Service, while Matt, proprietor of the Princess Victoria in London's Shepherd's Bush, currently holds the Chairmanship of the UK Guild of Wine Service.

"It's vital that experienced and knowledgeable people like Matt, Conor and Sophie continue to be involved so they can help shape the future strategy of the organisation at such an exciting time," comments Academy chief executive and director Nick Scade.