Ian Harris awarded an MBE

Ian Harris the chief executive of the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) has been appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2018 New Year’s Honours List.

Harris has received the commendation in recognition of his services to the wine and spirit industry over the last 40 years.

After 10 years at Waverley Vintners and another 15 with Seagram Spirits & Wine, Harris joined the WSET as chief executive in 2002.

In his time at the helm, the WSET has grown its global reach to 70 countries and is the largest educational body of its kind, with annual candidate numbers growing from 10,000 in 2002 to 85,000 in 2017.

The WSET now offers nine qualifications in wine, spirits and saké in 19 languages and through over 700 approved programme providers.

Harris commented: “It is an incredible honour to be appointed an MBE. After 25 years in the mainstream, commercial side of the industry, I have enjoyed the last (and the best) 15 years of my career at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust. Education is the foundation for any successful industry and I am privileged to lead an organisation that nurtures future generations of wine and spirits professionals and enthusiasts. I am very proud of what the team at WSET have achieved over the past few years and we will continue to work to build a fruitful future for this great industry, which I love.”