Hon President

With deep regret the Society has learnt that its Honorary President, John Avery MW, died in hospital on the morning of Friday 23rd March having collapsed earlier in the week. He previously served as Chairman of Council and had been awarded the André Simon Gold Medal. John gave generously of his time and energy to support the Society and was always willing to share his extensive knowledge of wine, accompanied by amusing anecdotes on the subject. He will be sadly missed by the Society and all those who knew him.

John Avery MW

The IWFS is privileged to have John Avery MW as our Honorary President. He was appointed to this role in 2008 at our 75th Anniversary celebrations at Claridges, London, taking over from Hugh Johnson OBE. He is a great supporter of the IWFS and knew André Simon as a family friend from a very early age – so he really does have the IWFS running through his veins! He has served the IWFS in a number of ways including being on the International Council of Management for about 20 years and was Chairman of the Society for four years from 1996 to 2000. He is also a trustee of the André Simon Memorial Fund and the William Heptinstall Award.

He is a highly respected member of the wine trade both in the UK and abroad and is a fourth generation member of his family wine merchant business which was established in 1793.

As a Master of Wine he is in great demand as a judge at wine shows in Australia, the UK, Hong Kong, Japan and New Zealand. He is also a valued member of the IWFS Wines Committee which oversees the production of the valued members’ Membership/Vintage Card.

He is particularly knowledgeable in the field of new world wines. Having discovered and introduced into the UK many of the best wines from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and California, he was the first to import Australian Chardonnay and wines from New Zealand.

He has travelled around the world attending various IWFS events including more recently the 2009 Cape Town International Festival and the Regional Festival in Sydney in October 2010.

Past Hon Presidents:

1933-1970 André Simon (co-founder)

1970-1981 No elected President

Victor Gibson

1981-1982 H W Yoxall OBE

1982-1983 No elected President

1983-1984 Allan C Holmes

1984-1991 Michael Broadbent MW

1991-1997 No elected President

1997-2000 Dr R A Charpie

2000-2002 No elected President

2002-2008 Hugh Johnson OBE