ROB MALIN - CEO & Founder
Rob spent the first 10 years of his career working in the finance industry. Known for his expertise in finance and sales management, Rob held various positions overseeing sales teams across continental Europe. His experience involves managing and leading sales efforts, client relationships, and business development strategies.
One of Rob’s notable strengths is his multilingual ability, as he is fluent in Italian, French, and Russian.
Board of Directors
CLAIRE FORGIONE - Operations Director and Sustainability Lead
Claire is a business manager and events industry veteran with a passion for sustainability.
Alongside overseeing the operational side of When in Rome, Claire is also leading our B Corp certification process.
ADAM UTTLEY - CFO & COO
Adam is a Chartered Management Accountant, holds an MBA from Warwick Business School and has spent most of his career working for food and drinks companies. Immediately prior to joining When in Rome, Adam was the Founder and CEO of Sobersauce, a marketplace for non-alcoholic beer startup brands.
Earlier in life Adam was the CFO of the Fresh Direct Group, a fresh food wholesaler in the foodservice industry, following a number of years at Brakes Group where he was the Finance Director for their speciality food businesses.
Adam is passionate about responsible drinking and has recently served as the Treasurer and Trustee of the charity Alcohol Change UK, the owners and operators of the Dry January brand.
VINCE LAWSON -
Non-Executive Director
Vince’s background primarily spans FMCG, Food and Beverage as well as being involved in building some of the world’s most loved brands.
Alongside his role as Non-Executive Director at When in Rome Wine, he holds the position of Chief Marketing Officer at Biotiful Gut Health and Board Advisor at Beyond, a leading International Data Consultancy.
Vince’s passion for the beverages industry started almost 20 years ago when he worked in the US with Jack Daniels and Southern Comfort, and more recently during a 5-year stint as Global Marketing Director at Fever-Tree.
ANDREW BROWN -
Non-Executive Director
Andy is director of international equities at a leading UK investment manager, Baillie Gifford which he joined in 2007.
Prior to joining Baillie Gifford Andy spent a short period as a full-time international athlete and held roles at Scottish Widows Investment Partnership and Ernst & Young.
Andy advises When in Rome Wine on it's long-term growth strategy.
SURJIT KOONER - Board Member
Fund Principle and Investment Committee Member for the MEIF West Midlands Equity Fund. Surjit is an Chartered Accountant with over 11 year’s experience advising in Fund raising.
Alongside his role as board member at When in Rome Wine, Surjit is also Part-time Finance Director for a number of portfolio companies.
Anthony Huntford - Board Member
Anthony started his career in private banking and is currently a business development consultant with-in the FX and Crypto space, working exclusively with professional and institutional clients with regulated brokers.
Anthony was an early-stage investor in When in Rome Wine, advising predominantly on sales and assisting in streamlining company structure and growth.
Graduating from UCL with a BA in Italian Antony is Fluent in 5 languages.
Brendan Boyd - Board Member
Brendan’s career began in property development, but following the financial crash of 2008, dived headfirst into the green business world and in 2010, established Aircore, taking the experience he gained in property and investment, and pouring it into his new venture.
Aircore was founded with a focus on building a renewable energy portfolio across Northern Ireland. Now, through Aircore Ventures the focus is on the investment and support of new and emerging green businesses across the UK, Ireland and Europe. Aircore works with founders at various stages of growth with global potential.