Sales Manager

• Aug 2021 - Present

Freelance Research Consultant (Specialist Whisky Historian)

• Dec 2016 - Present

• Perform specialist research assignments and commissions for companies, write/research articles for publication and offer valuations of private whisky collections.• Clients includes Crucial Drinks (Distillery Research & Market Research) and Garage Project Brewery (‘A History of New Zealand Whisky’).• Articles published in Scotland Magazine and The Scotsman Newspaper plus research performed for National Geographic among others.• Aligned responsibilities of personal projects with those of my permanent employers.

Territory Manager - Scotland

• Sep 2019 - Jul 2021

Auction Administrator & Valuer

• May 2019 - Sep 2019

Assistant Manager

• Sep 2018 - Apr 2019

Head of Spirits/ Spirits Ambassador

• Feb 2017 - May 2018

• Departmental head at leading independent New Zealand alcohol retailer.• Responsible for sourcing new products, stock-­management, distributor liaison, and events organisation.• Curated off-­premise selection and worked closely with trade representative for on-­trade available products.• Continued and modernised highly-­regarded spirits tasting programme for monthly club tastings, instore sampling and facilitating visiting distributors and brand ambassadors.• Worked to store set KPIs and brand incentives.• Led staff education programme on Scotch Whisky and other highly specialised spirit categories while improving own knowledge of premium wine and beer.

Archivist

• Feb 2016 - Nov 2016

Similar profile as when a Research Consultant, but now on a full-time basis. Primarily working with The Lost Distillery Company brand, I am responsible for:- Leading academic research projects for new The Lost Distillery Company releases.- Acting as the first-response for enquiries into our historical research.- Planning our UK events calendar and performing sales at UK & European events, whether festivals, shop openings or other.- Creating relevant POS material linked to TLDC brand.- Beginning and tracking orders.- Entering products into relevant awards, with considerable success.- Social media output.- Working closely with partners, distributors, customers and other affiliates on a multitude of different projects and tasks.- Networking for the business within and outside the industry.In this position, I have rapidly adapted to the everyday reality of working in a small, ambitious business, and the flexibility required to perform various tasks in tandem to a high standard.

Consultant

• Jun 2014 - Feb 2016

Research Consultant for The Lost Distillery Company Ltd:• Conduct extensive and detailed research on closed distilleries for young commercial enterprise.• Utilise independent knowledge and expertise to produce clear and concise reports for business usage.• Liaise closely with management on aims for projects; stick closely to external deadlines while managing responsibilities of independent time‑management.• Gained ability to convert detailed knowledge and understanding into key selling points for commercial sales.• Performed European sales on behalf of the company at the WhiskyFair Limburg, La Louviere, Belgium and The Whisky Stramash, Edinburgh.

Library Advisor

• Jan 2013 - Feb 2016

• Work with disadvantaged children and vulnerable adults at a busy community centre.• Organise events and lead group sessions in environment that demands patience and ingenuity.• Learnt to handle disagreements and confrontations in calm and respectful manner.• Developed awareness of client specific needs and expectations. • Work with disadvantaged children and vulnerable adults at a busy community centre.• Organise events and lead group sessions in environment that demands patience and ingenuity.• Learnt to handle disagreements and confrontations in calm and respectful manner.• Developed awareness of client specific needs and expectations.

Reviewer

• Jul 2011 - Jan 2016

Video game reviewer & article writer for major videogames website which receives over 5,000,000 hits per month. Video game reviewer & article writer for major videogames website which receives over 5,000,000 hits per month.

Internship

• May 2013 - Jun 2014

Researcher and archaeologist, investigating long-dead distilleries for The Lost Distillery Company Ltd. Researcher and archaeologist, investigating long-dead distilleries for The Lost Distillery Company Ltd.

Internship - Auctioneer & Whisky Valuer

• Jan 2014 - May 2014

• Developed knowledge of whisky and whisky market within fast‑paced environment.• Cultivated close relationships with clients in personable and professional manner.• Analysed auction‑trends to predict the best price for house and client.• Improved professionalism and understanding of ethics within work environment.• Versatility enhanced by experience of other auction areas including jewellery, interiors and Scottish paintings. • Developed knowledge of whisky and whisky market within fast‑paced environment.• Cultivated close relationships with clients in personable and professional manner.• Analysed auction‑trends to predict the best price for house and client.• Improved professionalism and understanding of ethics within work environment.• Versatility enhanced by experience of other auction areas including jewellery, interiors and Scottish paintings.

Contributor

• Mar 2012 - Jul 2013

Reviewer, Article and Feature Writers for WhatCultures! video-games section. Reviewer, Article and Feature Writers for WhatCultures! video-games section.

Gallery Assistant

• Mar 2013 - Jun 2013

• Involved in set‑up and take‑down of major Jolomo exhibition and a long-term David Livingston installation.• Co‑ordinated with colleagues, utilising our various strengths, to develop displays quickly and efficiently.• Improved object handling skills and how to install exhibitions in unique, challenging spaces. • Involved in set‑up and take‑down of major Jolomo exhibition and a long-term David Livingston installation.• Co‑ordinated with colleagues, utilising our various strengths, to develop displays quickly and efficiently.• Improved object handling skills and how to install exhibitions in unique, challenging spaces.

Video Games Editor

• Sep 2011 - Jun 2013

Writer, Sourcer and Editor of Video Games Content for the Glasgow University Guardian.

Contributing Writer and Copy Editor

• Sep 2011 - Jun 2013

Feature Writer and Reviewer; topics include sport, music, craft beer, games, events and more.

Uplift Assistant

• May 2013 - May 2013

• Helped with major re-­organisation and movement of Edinburgh University’s collections into a new state‑of-­the-­art on-­campus facility.• Gained knowledge of financial, labour and time-­pressures when conducting a major collection move. • Helped with major re-­organisation and movement of Edinburgh University’s collections into a new state‑of-­the-­art on-­campus facility.• Gained knowledge of financial, labour and time-­pressures when conducting a major collection move.

Whisky Seller/ Customer Advisor

• Jun 2012 - Dec 2012

• Greatly improved interaction, presentation and persuasion skills in a busy and competitive environment.• Gained knowledge of the whisky industry from a retail perspective.• The customers' large variety of nationalities and backgrounds improved the adaptability and clarity of language used when interacting with people. • Greatly improved interaction, presentation and persuasion skills in a busy and competitive environment.• Gained knowledge of the whisky industry from a retail perspective.• The customers' large variety of nationalities and backgrounds improved the adaptability and clarity of language used when interacting with people.

Festival Promotions

• Aug 2010 - Aug 2011

• Promotional work for high-profile comedy club during two Edinburgh Festival seasons.• Demonstrated a positive response to pressure in an often fast‑paced working environment.• Took part in promotional activities, including approaching members of the public to promote the shows and distributing leaflets to increase awareness. • Promotional work for high-profile comedy club during two Edinburgh Festival seasons.• Demonstrated a positive response to pressure in an often fast‑paced working environment.• Took part in promotional activities, including approaching members of the public to promote the shows and distributing leaflets to increase awareness.

Safety Steward

• Feb 2008 - Aug 2010

Safety Steward for Showsec International Ltd. Duties included crowd safety, customer service and conflict resolution. Safety Steward for Showsec International Ltd. Duties included crowd safety, customer service and conflict resolution.

Customer Service Advisor

• Sep 2007 - Dec 2007

Customer Service Advisor for Wilkinson's Hardware Store. Duties included customer service, warehouse work, shelving. Customer Service Advisor for Wilkinson's Hardware Store. Duties included customer service, warehouse work, shelving.

Football in the Community Intern

• May 2005 - Jun 2005

Assisted and led football sessions with children and teenagers as part of Wigan Athletic's Football in the Community project. Assisted and led football sessions with children and teenagers as part of Wigan Athletic's Football in the Community project.