Fine+Rare adds Singapore office

UK merchant Fine+Rare has announced plans to open an office in Singapore in order to meet growing demand from south-east Asia.

The move will mark the company’s second Asian office – it already has a base in Hong Kong – and will be headed up by Ross Eva, who is relocating from London for the role.

A member of the Fine+Rare team since 2008, Eva will work alongside the London office to develop business both in Singapore and the surrounding region, with a plan to recruit staff later this year.

Confirming the new venture, Fine+Rare sales director Jamie Graham said: “South-East Asia, and Singapore in particular, has been a very important market for Fine+Rare for many years now.

“Whilst we can service this business efficiently from our London offices, moving one of our most experienced account managers to the region enables us to get closer to our customers, to open bottles with them, to be on the ground and to make it even easier for anybody in the region to buy or sell fine wine via Fine+Rare’s marketplace.

Pointing to the company’s listings of over 50,000 different wines, Graham claimed: “No other merchant can offer such huge variety”, adding: “Without the constraints of a traditional stockholding, we are uniquely placed to offer customers what we believe to be an unrivalled choice.”

Other UK merchants have also been eyeing the opportunities presented by Singapore, with Corney & Barrow opening its own office there at the end of last year.