The Thierry's
Executive team
The Thierry’s executive team is a diverse and eclectic group of talented individuals with an average age of just 39.
Ged Welch, managing director
Ged has a strong corporate background and has held senior positions with five blue chip companies – Scottish Courage, Diageo, Allied Distillers, Glenmorangie and Wm Grants. He became a non-executive director of Thierry’s in 2002, acting as a coach to the managing director, chairman and the board. In 2007, he became Thierry’s managing director. His areas of expertise are strategy development, coaching, facilitation and leadership. Ged is passionate about leadership and the development of competence and confidence and is the driving force behind Thierry’s innovative internal training and development programme.
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Matthew Dickinson, commercial director
Matthew joined Thierry’s in 2001 as a national account manager and was promoted to the position of sales director in 2003, working with all the major retailers. During his time as sales director, sales grew by more than double. In 2007 he was appointed commercial director, with responsibility for both sales and marketing. Matthew has a strong commercial background, with a wealth of experience in blue chip companies, both at home and abroad. He worked as a wine buyer for both Sainsbury’s and Thresher and was also marketing director at the top Burgundy house, Michel Laroche, looking after global brand marketing across 70 countries. Matthew is passionate about wine and holds the WSET Diploma with Honours.
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Hatim Dungarwalla, Finance and IT Director
Hatim qualified as a chartered accountant with Deloittes in London and has a wealth of experience in the financial sector. He has been working with Thierry’s as finance director since 2005. Hatim is also the founding principle of Whitefriar Limited which specialises in providing financial, strategic and accounting support to owner-managed businesses.
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Dominique Vrigneau, buying director
Dominique joined Majestic on a work experience placement in 1986 after completing a five year PhD in Agriculture and Oenology in France. He was soon promoted to the position of buying manager. Dominique joined Thierry’s in 1991 after a chance encounter with founder, Thierry Cabanne and is now buying director for France, Austria, Germany, Australasia and the United States. His vast knowledge of the French wine industry and his passion for French wines is second to none.
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Lindsay Talas, buying director
Lindsay joined Thierry’s in 2004 as buying director and is now responsible for Spain, Italy, South Africa, Chile, Argentina and Portugal. Lindsay has a strong commercial background, having worked as a senior buyer for Sainsbury’s, where she passed her WSET Diploma with merit, winning the Italian Scholarship. She also led Tesco’s newly-formed, all-female product development team and was responsible for the launch of the Tesco Finest range. As head of Tesco’s innovation forum, Lindsay helped bring new wine regions, grape varieties and marketing concepts to the UK consumer. She has a passion for Spanish and Italian wines.
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Nikki Fletcher, general manager
Nikki joined Thierry's in May 2001 and has worked in most functions at Thierry's including account management, supply chain, marketing and PR. Nikki is a classic example of Thierry's home-grown talent and was promoted to the position of general manager in November 2008. She is tasked with delivering improved processes and greater efficiency with the emphasis on ensuring the best possible value for our customers. Nikki's intimate knowledge of the business and people development skills give her an excellent platform to deliver this.
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Claire Sheppard, head of trading (premium)
Claire joined Thierry's in 1999 and having spent five years as a commercial executive, was promoted to national account manager in 2004. She has subsequently run a number of key accounts and specialises in the premium sector where she also spends her time with producers, discovering gems for her customers. She is passionate about wine and her knowledge is supported by winning the WSET Diploma Rhône prize. Claire's new role of head of trading will combine portfolio strategy, customer intimacy and delivering new business.
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Marie Knight, head of trading (core)
Marie's promotion to head of trading represents a further step in her career at Thierry’s. Like Claire, she joined the company in 2001 as a commercial executive and has progressed through the account management on some of Thierry's biggest customer accounts, building an intimate knowledge of the multiple grocer sector in particular. She combines her love of systems and processes with her passion for wine and the producers.
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Our news
Please click on any of these articles to read more:
04 June, 10
Thierry’s embraces the brave new world of social media at the LIWF
Thierry's like to do things differently, to challenge the status quo and to think outside the box. This year is no exception as they chose to embrace the brave new world of social media, launching a live Thierry’s blog with a twist. The company invited six consumers ...
08 February, 10
Thierry’s, the UK’s number one importer of French wines
Thierry’s, the UK’s number one French wine importer, will be exhibiting at France Under One Roof tasting on Wednesday 10 March at Lord’s, together with its key producers on stands
5-11 inclusive. Thierry’s focus this year is on The Power of the Co-operatives.
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Our wines
With over 2000 wines and working with over 100 producers our portfolio is more than comprehensive. Thierry’s sources the best possible wine at the best possible price for the customer, who in turn, can deliver the best possible value to the consumer.
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