News & Events
Stuart Birtles Appointed as Regional Sales Manager
Tony Schendel, Sales Director, says of the appointment: “Having worked alongside Stuart for several years at Louis Latour Agencies, I’m absolutely delighted to welcome him to the team at Bancroft. His deep understanding of the regional wholesale market and strong customer relationships make him an invaluable addition. Bancroft has a long-standing commitment to national reach, and Stuart’s appointment further strengthens our service and support for customers in the North.”
With over 35 years of experience in the wine trade, Stuart brings a wealth of industry knowledge and an extensive network of contacts. His career in wine began in 1986 at Willoughby’s the Wine Merchants, where he worked closely with the wine buyer in an office-based role. In 1997, he joined North Yorkshire wholesaler Tate-Smith’s as Wine Development Manager, supporting the area sales team.
In 2003, he moved to the Australian wine producer Brown Brothers, taking on the role of Regional Account Manager for the North of England and Scotland. This was followed by a similar position at Champagne Laurent-Perrier from 2010, with responsibility for the Midlands, North of England, and Scotland. In 2017, he joined Louis Latour Agencies, continuing to oversee sales across these key regions.
Over the past two decades, Stuart has developed a deep understanding of the UK regional wholesale market and has established long-standing relationships across the trade.
Stuart Birtles comments: “I’m delighted to be joining Bancroft and becoming part of such a dynamic and successful team. It’s a fantastic opportunity to work with such an outstanding and diverse portfolio. I am particularly excited to help drive growth in the northern regions and to share this exceptional range with both existing and new customers.”
Meet Stuart Birtles and the Bancroft Team at our September Tasting
Please join us for The Bancroft Edit
Our Autumn + Winter Tasting — on
Monday 22nd September 2025 | 10:30–17:30 at the Great Scotland Yard Hotel, SW1A 2HN.
Full detail and Registration
You’ll have the chance to taste over 120 wines from across our portfolio, as well as meet winemaking teams from exciting new additions, including: Weingut Von Buhl (Pfalz), Castellare di Castellina (Tuscany), and Feudi del Pisciotto (Sicily). We’re also pleased to welcome Wilhelm Joubert from Hartenberg Wine Estate, and to present the full range from Oakridge Wines in the Yarra Valley — the latest winery to join the Bancroft portfolio.