Paul Hammond
Paul has a first class degree in philosophy and the Wine Spirit Education Trust Diploma. He is the co-founder IG Wines, President and Founder of the wine charity, 2 Water. He has worked in the fine wine industry since 2008. Paul has entrepreneurial interest, as well as a consultancy role in several other companies and several Enterprise Investment Schemes. Paul is a regular guest speaker and presenter at several business schools and writes the City Am wine club column. He loves aged claret, white Burgundy, Napa reds and is currently focusing on Tuscany, which he believes to be the most exciting wine region in the world at present.
Jon Hirsch
Jonathan Hirsch is co-Founder of IG Wines. After stints in the medical technology sector and trading equities, he followed his passion and generations of his family into the wine business. He comes from a long line of wine merchants including his Great-Great Uncle who was chairman of Pimms and his Grandfather who was at one stage the largest buyer of chateau bottled claret in the UK. Jon is a trustee of the charity, 2 Water and is involved with and consults on a selection of entrepreneurial businesses as well as presenting on entrepreneurship at Imperial Business School. Jon is often considered spoilt having grown up on the finest wines the old world has to offer but he enjoys a wide selection travelling often to Napa, Bordeaux and Tuscany.
Daren Balman
Before joining Sterling Fine Wines, Daren enjoyed a successful 20 year career as an equity trader at a leading city investment bank. Whilst working there, he completed his WSET Advanced certificate. Holidays invariably involve trips to wine regions and vineyards; Burgundy, Bordeaux, Provence, Tuscany, Franschhoek and Margaret River to name a few. He invests in wine, fills his home with countless oenological items and has even helped out at a couple of harvests. He is now delighted to be able to pair his experience in trading with his passion for wine. Alongside his obsession (as his wife would call it!) for wine, especially Burgundy, he is an avid follower of all sports.