Ian Harris is 531st master of the Vintners’ Company

Ian Harris MBE has been installed as the 531st Master of the Worshipful Company of Vintners, bringing nearly five decades of wine industry experience to one of the trade’s oldest and most respected institutions.

Harris will spend the coming year representing the Vintners’ Company while supporting its work in the wine trade, education, charitable giving and fellowship. Best known as chief executive of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) from 2002 to 2022, he oversaw the organisation’s remarkable international expansion.

The appointment has particular significance given the Vintners’ Company helped establish WSET in 1969 and remains a long-standing supporter of wine education. Harris, who received an MBE in 2018 for services to the wine and spirits industries, said it was a tremendous honour to serve as Master and looked forward to the year's industry events.

He succeeds Richard Wilson MBE. Founded on medieval wine trade roots and granted a royal charter in 1363, the Vintners’ Company continues to support education, scholarships and charities including The Drinks Trust.