I grew up in the UK and graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Law. I began my career in investment banking, working for Deutsche Bank and Union Bank of Switzerland before deciding to change careers in 2003 and moving to the wine industry. I initially worked in technical roles for several leading wine estates in both the northern and southern hemispheres, including Dog Point Vineyard and Wither Hills in Marlborough, New Zealand, and Château Bauduc, Clos Puy Arnaud and Château Beau-Séjour Bécot in Bordeaux. I moved to France in 2005 and settled in Bordeaux. In 2007 I created a business offering bespoke wine tours in the Bordeaux region and in 2011 I set up a company advising individuals and companies on the assessment and acquisition of vineyards throughout France, Vineyard Intelligence.