Meet the Pioneers

Simon Williams is renowned in the drinks industry for his proven track record of delivering results and sustained change through strong team leadership, program management and change management skills.

Recognised as one of the 100 most influential logisticians across Europe and with over thirty years’ experience across the full supply chain, he is a highly effective influencer and is experienced in partnering with cross-functional and multi-national teams in both direct and matrix management structures.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement, Simon moved to Quintessential Brands from Accolade Wines, the fourth largest global wine company, where he managed a £300m Operations spend and £600m procurement spend. He has also held senior executive positions at Allied Domecq Wines and Avon Cosmetics.

Outside of work, Simon is a fanatical rugby supporter having been a successful player in his youth before injury forced him to the sidelines. That didn’t hamper his enthusiasm for the sport – in fact, he’s been to all the Rugby World Cup Finals bar two and been on four Lions tours.

Simon joined Quintessential Brands in June 2017 and is a member of the Senior Executive Board. He is based in our Warrington office at the G&J distillery but frequently visits our manufacturing sites around the world, working closely with the teams to ensure operations are running as effectively as possible.