About
My Story
Leaving home after working in finance during the 1990s boom, I quickly grew restless. I left for Greece, then Munich, training at hotel school, bartending at the legendary Barfly, and learning the foundations of hospitality while navigating new cultures. By 21, I was hooked on the world beyond my doorstep. Adventures across the Middle East followed, deepening my curiosity for regional traditions, history, and cultures.
That curiosity turned commercial at 26, when I opened my first restaurant. Specialising in regional Mediterranean dishes and seasonal cocktails, it quickly became a success, but was halted by a building issue. An eight-year legal battle taught me patience, resilience, and complex realities beyond my control.
I adapted, earning an IT qualification with distinction, working in corporate sales, and launching an award-winning Glasgow delicatessen in 2006. By 2012, I founded Scotch Broth Events, pioneering multi-sensory flavor pairings through Molecular Gastronomy. Dubbed the "Molecular Magician" by suppliers, I merged sensory science, geology, and storytelling into a global event experience, presenting at international science festivals, corporate galas, and VIP receptions across Asia, Europe, and South Africa.
That momentum led to nearly five years as a Global Brand Ambassador for a spirits portfolio. Overseeing 48 markets across 300 cities, 15 US states, and major global travel hubs, I lived out of a suitcase, running trade sessions from Dubai to Sydney and launching super-premium single malts in China.
Decades of relentless travel, hands-on business ownership, and deep industry insights naturally converged. Today, that lifetime of field experience created The Rum Geography® and now leads our drinks tech platform, building real-world solutions to connect the landscape around them.
Research Approach
Years of running global brand activations, conducting market intelligence, and collaborating with Glasgow University academics taught me one thing: real credibility comes from being on the ground. Whether testing molecular pairings for back-to-back shows or mapping regional distilleries, I rely on thorough research and practical application over quick assumptions.
Field-Based Insights: Data is gathered through direct outreach, physical location checks, and real-world trade visits rather than passive web scraping.
Dynamic Systems: Learned rules and trade logic are built as responsive, real-world frameworks rather than dusty, static reference sheets.
Transparency: Clear, honest category data is the starting point for any successful partnership or brand activation.
Principles
Real-World Evidence First: Prioritising location-based intelligence over surface-level industry assumptions.
Streamlined Process: Shedding manual admin so brands and hospitality can connect faster for guest-first experiences.
Opening Category Access: Dismantling old gatekeeping to support the 80% underserved and drive true innovation.
