Meet the team
Our innovators in winemaking
Chris Ellis
Managing Director
Edward Vellacott
Commercial Director
Emily West
Brand & Marketing Manager
Hélène Temmerman
Sales Manager – Europe
Lecia Long
Sales Manager – Asia
Maria Giulia Alicino
Assistant Sales Manager
Marco Mereghetti
Business & Communication Developer
Helen Day
Finance Controller
Amber Baker
Finance and Admin Assistant
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.
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.
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).
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.