James Saunders
About James Saunders
James Saunders is the MPO Manager for the UK at Brown-Forman, where he has worked since 2021. He has a strong background in customer development and operations management, with previous roles at Bacardi and Neilson Active Holidays.
Current Role at Brown-Forman
James Saunders serves as the MPO Manager for the UK at Brown-Forman, a position he has held since 2021. In this role, he focuses on managing the marketing and promotional operations for the company's portfolio of brands. His responsibilities include strategizing and implementing initiatives to enhance brand visibility and market penetration within the UK.
Previous Experience at Bacardi
James Saunders has extensive experience at Bacardi, where he held multiple roles from 2016 to 2020. He began as a Customer Development Executive and progressed to Senior Customer Development Executive. Additionally, he worked as a Whisky Specialist Online & Retail, where he developed expertise in whisky and customer engagement strategies. His tenure at Bacardi provided him with a strong foundation in customer development.
Background in Operations Management
James has a background in operations management, having worked as an Operations Supervisor at Neilson Active Holidays from 2013 to 2015. His role involved overseeing daily operations and ensuring efficient service delivery. He also gained international experience while working as a Bar Supervisor for Neilson Active Holidays in Sivota, Greece, from 2011 to 2014.
Education and Professional Development
James Saunders studied at Uppingham from 2003 to 2008, where he achieved qualifications in Business Studies and Physical Education. He furthered his education at the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, earning a WSET Level 2 in Spirits & Alcohol. This educational background has contributed to his expertise in the spirits industry.
Consulting Experience
In 2015, James worked as a Consultant at Mixology Group for eight months. This role allowed him to apply his knowledge of the spirits industry and customer development in a consulting capacity, enhancing his skill set and industry insights.