Meet the team

Our innovators in winemaking

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Chris Ellis

Managing Director
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Edward Vellacott

Commercial Director
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Emily West

Brand & Marketing Manager
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Hélène Temmerman

Sales Manager – Europe
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Lecia Long

Sales Manager – Asia
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Maria Giulia Alicino

Assistant Sales Manager
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Marco Mereghetti

Business & Communication Developer
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Helen Day

Finance Controller
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Amber Baker

Finance and Admin Assistant
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Chris Ellis

Managing Director

Chris Ellis founded Bijou Wine in 2013 after twenty-five years in the wine industry. Previously he has worked as Export Director for a large French wine producer and was a founder shareholder of Western Wines. He has also consulted to a number of vineyards, wine producers, distributors and retailers. Chris was at the forefront of the retail wine revolution and has been heavily involved in both production and sales and marketing. He created, sourced and developed brands such as Kumala and Isla Negra and was the first person to bring in brands such as Cono Sur to the European Market.

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Edward Vellacott

Commercial Director

English by birth, Edward was brought up in the South of France from the age of nine. After completing his French Baccalaureate he returned to the UK to study Management and Spanish at the University of Leeds, the highlight of which was spending a year working in the export division of a Spanish winery in Madrid.  Edward’s trustworthy personality allied with his interpersonal and communication skills continuously help him build strong cross-cultural relationships. He passed WSET Level 3 with Merit and will shortly complete the Diploma course.

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Emily West

Brand & Marketing Manager

Emily has over a decade of experience in marketing and brand development within agencies, as a consultant and in-house.

She has previously planned and executed the marketing strategy for a new global skin clinic, curated art galleries and worked as an art dealer internationally, and has consulted on marketing and culture for brands such as MTV, Post Office, Casio and Kit Heath. Emily enjoys photography and has shot with brands such as DeBeers, Lofbergs and Charity Bank. She is training for her WSET and, when not working, enjoys walks with her miniature dachshund, Mayer (a nod to legendary guitarist, John).

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Hélène Temmerman

Sales Manager – Europe

Hélène was born and raised in Belgium where she graduated as a bio engineer specializing in Agronomy. To pursue her passion for wine she has worked in countries such as Italy, France, and Croatia to research sustainability practices in the wine sector and to gain practical experience. Her additional Master’s in International Food and Beverage management at the business school of ESCP in Turin and Paris and her previous experience as business manager gave her in-depth knowledge of the commercial aspects of the wine market. Hélène has completed her WSET diploma.

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Lecia Long

Sales Manager – Asia
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Maria Giulia Alicino

Assistant Sales Manager
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Marco Mereghetti

Business & Communication Developer
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Helen Day

Finance Controller
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Amber Baker

Finance and Admin Assistant
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Bijou

Embodying the legend of Sophie Valrose

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