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2006 Award Winner – Young Achiever of the Year
Rick Payne, Hall & Woodhouse
Rick Payne joined Dorset Brewer, Hall & Woodhouse (H&W), at a turbulent time in the company’s history. In 2005, with the sale of the Panda brand, the company announced some 30 redundancies. Payne was appointed brands marketing manager, but was left with no team. Working within the cask ale category – which seemed to be in terminal decline – Payne managed to persuade H&W to replace its leading brand with a new beer.
Despite the odds, the new ale “Badger First Gold,†has been an unqualified success for the company and testament to Payne’s hard work and commitment. During his time at the company Payne has managed to develop an exciting portfolio of brands, driven bottled ale market share from 2% to nearly 10% and has grown small pack branded beer volume ten fold to over one million cases.
The judges were particularly impressed with Payne’s “ambition, determination, planning, execution and results,†and praised his achievements during a difficult time for the company and in a declining market. “Real ale isn’t easy and he has managed to build a champion brand in a declining market,†they said. Both the panel and the drinks business believe Payne is one to watch for the future and fully deserves this award for his work at H&W.
The Runner-up 2006
Pip Martin, Wine Adventure
The judges felt that Martin deserved some recognition for his achievements with his own venture, Wine Adventure. “This was the only entrepreneurial candidate on the shortlist and his energy, passion and sheer bravery deserve to be highlighted,†they said.
The Shortlist 2006
Alex Field, PR manager, Moet Hennessey UK
Through his work with luxury brands both at MHUK and Aurelia PR before that, Field has shown a knack for identifying opportunities and a real skill for communicating with both trade and consumers. Stellar sales results on brands he has worked on prove his success in conceiving and implementing PR campaigns
Clare Seel, publisher, Decanter
Appointed publisher of Decanter at the tender age of 32, Seel has worked her way up the ranks of the magazine from PA to the publisher to her current post. Showing good leadership skills and initiative, the judges felt Decanter’s Fine Wine Encounter project was one of Seel’s biggest achievements to date.
© db May 2006