About

Laurence Mulliez

With over twenty-five years of experience, Laurence has been a CEO and Board member in different business sectors from banking to energy, chemicals and industrials, living in four different countries and leading businesses in over 30 countries. Currently, Laurence is Chairman of Voltalia Renewables and a Non Executive Director at Aperam stainless steel, SBM Offshore and Morgan Advanced Materials.

 

Laurence has always been interested in wine and obtained the Diploma at the Wines and Spirits Education Trust in September 2016. Only about 9000 people in the world have the Diploma, which is awarded in recognition for a large body of knowledge about wines in the world as well as tasting abilities.

 

“I believe that the wine industry is geared toward men (serious, wood-panelled, connoisseur type environment). But the world is changing with many successful women wine producers, and a growing number of women experts. I am passionate about discovering new wines and sharing what I know with my network and my friends. After all, wine is all about personal taste and choices (just like food); it’s about enjoyment, not being pretentious. I would like to create that relaxed and friendly environment where women can learn about wine and expand their horizons while networking and hearing a good woman speaker”.

Anne de Bérard

Coming from a wine family in Bordeaux on my mother side and a passionate Spanish father, I have always been dedicated to the beauty and the mystery of wine. My childhood memories are directly linked with the beauty of St Emilion at every hour of the day, the smell of the vinification in the tanks and the noise it makes, the meat grilled on the sarment and the changing colours of the vines leaves in autumn.

 

After moving around the world (Africa included where sold Toyota pickups :)) and drinking lots of different wines, I arrived in London, the centre of International wines and it seemed the right time to start dedicating myself to sharing my passion with others.

 

I went to the WSET – Wine and Spirit Education Trust – where I started to gain an academic knowledge. I successfully passed my then Diploma today Level 4. While doing so I had created my own wine group to gain even more knowledge by touring the wine regions and tasting wines. Wines lovers always share a common language but their tastes are so different that whether you are a professional taster, an amateur or a beginner, there is always something to share and learn.

 

After a few more moves, I became a WSET tutor in the Netherlands and started my own business as a wine entertainer creating team buildings, wines events all around the Netherlands. Some clients also asked me to help them create their own wine cellar. That was the start of a new idea and a new business. While doing so, I was and still today, judging wines at various wine competitions in Europe. Since I was not busy enough I was also the chair of the British School of the Netherlands PTA. Those who have been working with volunteers will know it is nothing but easy! 60 people from 50 different nationalities with often various not to say goal incompatibility: challenging and enriching and full time job too!

 

With Laurence, it came to our attention that the London scene lacked a women wine club where we could share common interest in a relax way. So we decided to embark on this new adventure with all the partners that will help us and moreover our future women members!!