Tim Atkin MW: What Rowan Gormley could learn from Tony Laithwaite

Wine critic, broadcaster, co-chair of the IWC

New Direct Wines chief advocates getting more personal with consumer

David Thatcher, new group chief executive of Direct Wines, says the key to success in 2015 is a continued focus on personalisation, as he prepares to take up the role later this month.

Direct Wines' new chief David Thatcher shares his vision

David Thatcher, incoming group chief executive of Direct Wines, tells us how he is planning to build on the group's successful formula, ramp up personalisation and how Prosecco outsold Champagne 2:1 over Christmas.

Drinks industry leaders praise outgoing Direct Wines' chief Simon McMurtrie

Drinks industry leaders have heaped praise on outgoing Direct Wines' group chief executive Simon McMurtrie, as he prepares to take up a series of roles as  chairman of different businesses.

Direct Wines appoints David Thatcher as group ceo as Simon McMurtrie steps down

Simon McMurtrie, Direct Wines group chief executive, is stepping down later this month to act as chairman for a number of businesses, with current UK managing director David Thatcher replacing him.

Justin Howard-Sneyd starts wine club for Domaine of the Bee estate

Justin Howard-Sneyd MW is following in the footsteps of boss Tony Laithwaite by starting a wine club for sales from his Languedoc estate Domaine of the Bee.

How retailers are using consumers to drive their brand image and strategy

The new, all-singing, all-dancing London Wine Fair was an apt setting for Harpers debate on how companies can harness consumer power to drive their businesses forward.

Laithwaite's pioneers online recommendations with Amazon-style service

Laithwaite's is offering customers Amazon-style tasting recommendations based on an algorithm that creates a taste fingerprint for each wine on its website.

Wine must connect emotionally with consumers hears Harpers debate

Making an emotional connection with consumers, and creating personalised, shareable and useful content is vital to selling wine, heard Harpers debate at London Wine Fair.

London Wine Fair opens with Harpers debate on consumer power

How companies can successfully harness consumer power as the central point of their business strategy will be the theme of this morning's Harpers debate on the opening day of the London Wine Fair.

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Sunday Times Rich List reveals wealthiest families in the wine and spirit trade

Laithwaite's owners Tony and Barbara Laithwaite saw their personal wealth increase by £23 million to £148 million in 2014, after a £60 million decline last year, according to the Sunday Times Rich List 2014.

Rich List: Laithwaite's Wine owners see personal wealth dip by £60m

Harpers London Wine Fair debate: how consumers can power growth in your business

How major brands and retailers are succeeding in making their customers their biggest business assets through peer to peer recommendations, social media, online clubs and communities will be the focus of the Harpers Debate at this year's London Wine Fair.

Laithwaite's appoints former Carphone Warehouse boss as managing director

Q&A: Virgin Wines' Jay Wright talks independence, technology and customer loyalty

Virgin Wines chief executive Jay Wright opens up on what's happened since it separated from Direct Wines last year, as well as plans around personalisation and customer loyalty.

Call My Wine Bluff hopes to top £1m in money raised at May 8 event

Call My Wine Bluff, founded by UK wine trade consultant Jerry Lockspeiser, hopes to again raise much needed money for AcionAid when it takes place on May 8 in London's Gibson Hall.

Spanish wine storms into second place at Laithwaite's

Spain has become its second-biggest category for Laithwaite's wine in the UK market, after sales rocketed by 10% since July 2013.

Avery's falls into red as demand for en primeur declines

Avery's of Bristol has slid into the red as demand for en primeur plummeted in the year to June 29, 2013.

Major drinks firms back Harpers call to get producers behind Call Time on Duty campaign

Direct Wines, Matthew Clark and Bibendum are just three of the big name UK wine companies that have got behind the Harpers initiative to get as many wine producers as possible to back the Wine & Spirit Trade Association-led Call Time on Duty campaign and make the government aware how damaging its on-going alcohol duty strategy is on the UK drinks industry.