How do you look back on 2025 as a business and where you are in terms of reaching your targets and goals?
Brand Phoenix is looking to revive and kick start the fortunes of South African brand Leopards' Leap in the UK
2025 has been a very exciting one for BrandPhoenix; First Cape is still out there as the leading South African brand in UK grocery multiples with recent new listings; Leopards' Leap is beginning to shine; and our goal of securing a wider portfolio of agencies and wineries has been achieved, with our recent partnerships with Calabria Wines, and Barcelona Brands.
One of the biggest changes in 2025 was the full roll out of the ABV-driven duty system in February - what impact has that had on you and how have you responded?
It hasn't made any of our lives easy. My concern is that the industry will be forced to move to lower quality wines in order to hit key price points. It’s increasingly hard to find really great liquid at the lower price points, and the customer isn't always prepared to trade up, given economic conditions - and yet is more demanding in terms of quality.
How have you managed the introduction of EPR regulations and what long term implications do you think it will have?
We've implemented and we're up to speed, but it's been painstaking, as it has been for everyone, and it's another burden on our industry, another tax, which will have to be passed onto the consumer and drive inflation higher.
What have been the biggest achievements for you in 2025?
Brand Phoenix is the new UK distributor for Australia's McWilliams Wines
Acquiring distribution for McWilliam's in the UK off-trade, and broadening our reach with First Cape and other brands into more supermarket retailers.
What have been the biggest changes you have made to the businesses and why did you make them?
We've worked on a programme of expanding our portfolio of agencies, bringing in Australia with Calabria, and expanding our offerings in South Africa, New Zealand, France, Spain, and recently Italy.
We've also put real focus on increasing our presence in both trade and consumer press, as well as developing our social media presence.
Outside of duty and EPR what have been the biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
Definitely the ever-increasing prices of freight and associated services; we're having to work ever smarter to deliver value, to which we are committed.
Away from your business - what has most impressed you by what a company, competitor or individual has done in the last 12 months and why?
The Perfect Cellar has really impressed me; it's a small online operation, whose B2C operation in second to none, especially in terms of presence, communication and direction.
Looking ahead to 2026 what are your hopes and predictions for the industry and how do you hope it responds?
The industry will continue to be under enormous pressure, and will have to prove that it's resilient to outside forces; we are all going to be facing the challenge of reassuring the consumer, who will always want value in the wines they purchase.
What are the big goals and targets for you as a business in 2026 that you can share?
Brand Phoenix will be working hard to establish Australia's Calabria Wines in the UK in 2026
It's lots more of the same; our strategy of growing our agency reach in a major way, and expand our communications strategy began at the start of 2025. We want to accelerate that in 2026.
What have been your plans for the festive break?
To switch the phone off, focus on my family, have a splendid time, and enjoy some of the wines that I have built up in recent years.
What will you be eating and drinking?
We had traditional Christmas fare, turkey and a roast ham and enjoyed a good selection of wines including Wyfold English Sparkling Brut, Pieropan Ruberpan Valpolicella Superiore and Chateau Chantegrive, Graves Blanc.
Any favourite movies you will be watching at this time of year?
The Holiday and Love Actually.
