Vindustrious acquires London Wine Fair
London Wine Fair has announced a management buyout via an asset sale to event director Hannah Tovey.
The move transferred ownership of the fair from Hemming Group to Vindustrious, a new company created by Tovey, on 31 October.
Tovey joined the fair in 2017. She is credited with steering the show during the most challenging period of its history and creating the industry’s first fully digital event during the pandemic.
She previously launched Imbibe Magazine, its website and the Imbibe Live exhibition.
She will lead Vindustrious, with the company retaining all five members of the London Wine Fair team. Those are: Kate Stretton, director of international sales; Mara Veith, director of sales: UK, France and Asia; Holly Boatright-Wilson, marketing manager; and Kasie-Ella Dixon, marketing and sales executive.
Mark Gander will continue in his role as sales manager for Signature Serve, the spirits section of the show. Signature Serve launched in 2025 and is on track to double in size in 2026.
Hemming Group launched London Wine Fair in 1981. In the past two years, the event’s growth has returned to pre-pandemic status. Hemming Group is now focusing on its core industries: exhibitions and publications for infrastructure, transport, public sector and healthcare.
Hemming Group’s chair Nick Service and group managing director Bill Butler commented: “We are very pleased that Wine Fair will continue in Hannah Tovey’s capable and experienced hands, backed by the drinks trade. We wish Hannah and her team the greatest of success with the London Wine Fair and we look forward to seeing the event go from strength to strength under her leadership.”
London Wine Fair is the longest-running drinks industry exhibition in the UK, and will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2026.
Tovey secured the investment to acquire London Wine Fair from Perrin & Partners and a ‘handful’ of event suppliers. The funding will be used to offset costs in the lead-up to the show in May 2026
She said: “The management buyout of London Wine Fair marks an important – and exciting – milestone in the history of the event. The change in ownership ensures the event remains at the heart of the UK drinks industry, providing an unrivalled platform for business, debate, education and networking.
“Following a fantastic 2025 event that delivered a 40% increase in revenue YOY against all market odds, now seven months out from our 45th show, we are well under way to deliver an even more exceptional event.
“Our Host Nation initiative, which launched in September, has secured unprecedented bookings from our domestic wine industry, a priority investment for us and very much part of the strategic development of London Wine Fair going forward.”
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