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WSET opens Hong Kong office
The Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has opened its first international office in Hong Kong to better meet demand for industry education in Greater China.
WSET CEO Ian Harris says the new Hong Kong office will help the education provider better serve the region
Set for an official opening on 10 November, the Wan Chai office will be staffed by a team of four who will provide support to WSET’s local network of course providers, educators, corporate partners, and the growing WSET alumni community.
Plans are also under way to include examinations in the new office’s remit.
Hong Kong was prioritised as the first international office after China overtook the US to become the WSET’s second biggest market, and largest growth market.
Candidate numbers in the country are up 38% year-on-year, according to the education provider, with no sign of a slowdown in 2016/17.
WSET first began offering courses in China in 2006, and now boasts a network of more than 130 approved programme providers. The full range of WSET courses from day Level 1 Awards in Wines, Spirits and Sake up to the Level 4 Diploma in Wines & Spirits is available in the market.
“We have provided WSET qualifications through providers in Hong Kong since the turn of the millennium, and the expansion into, and across mainland China over the past 10 years has been phenomenal,” said Ian Harris, WSET chief executive.
“The decision to open an administrative office in Hong Kong was taken last year, as it will enable us to better serve the community across Asia. There is a new wave of younger millennials in China, and across Asia, who are interested in wine and spirits, so we are stepping in to further enhance the service we provide to support our providers in the region, as well as businesses who will benefit from wine and spirit education and qualifications.
“This is our first administration office outside the UK, and with the international growth of WSET growing at such a rate fast, I am sure it will not be our last.”
WSET celebrated 14 consecutive years of growth in the 2015/16 academic year, with global candidate numbers up 17% to a total of 72,171.