Key Points

• The UK’s leading wine trade show, London Wine Fair (LWF), has been acquired via a management buy-out led by its event director, Hannah Tovey.
• Ownership has transferred from Hemming Group to a newly-formed company called Vindustrious effective 31 October 2025.
• The entire existing LWF team (all five members) will stay in place under the new company.
• The buy-out was backed by lead investor Perrin & Partners and a group of long-term suppliers. Financial terms have not been disclosed.
• LWF returned to strong growth in 2025 under Tovey’s leadership, achieving a 40 % year-on-year revenue increase.
• The spirit-focused section of the show, Signature Serve, launched in 2025 and is expected to double next year.
• The Hemming Group will now focus on its core events, publishing and other sectors (infrastructure, transport, public sector, healthcare).
• The next edition of LWF, the 45th, is scheduled for 18-20 May 2026 at Olympia London.
• Reservations and prospects for the 2026 show are reported to be about 14 % ahead year-on-year.

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

The London Wine Fair (LWF), long recognised as one of the UK’s most influential trade shows for wine and spirits, has undergone a major change in its ownership structure. Under the leadership of event director Hannah Tovey, the fair’s management has acquired the business from the Hemming Group via a dedicated new company, Vindustrious. The move represents what many in the drinks industry are calling a “new era” for this venerable event.

WHO’S INVOLVED?

Hannah Tovey—who has managed LWF since 2017—will now lead the show as owner/executive of Vindustrious. As reported by James Lawrence of Harpers: “Ownership has been transferred from Hemming Group to Vindustrious … effective 31 October 2025.” The Hemming Group, which founded the show back in 1981, has stepped aside from the ownership but will continue focusing on its wider events and publishing business.

Supporting the buy-out was Perrin & Partners, identified as the lead investor, along with a small group of long-term suppliers to the fair. The precise financial details remain undisclosed.

Crucially, all five members of the existing LWF operational team will stay under the new ownership. These include 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) alongside Tovey herself.

WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?

The management buy-out was completed on 31 October 2025. The announcement of the transaction came on 5 November 2025, in multiple trade-media outlets.

WHY IS THIS SIGNIFICANT?

LWF has a long heritage. Founded in 1981 by Hemming Group, the fair has evolved over decades—from its early days at a London department store to a move to ExCeL, and then returning to Olympia in 2014. With the sector facing disruption (e.g., due to the pandemic, hybrid formats, supply-chain pressures), the decision to give the show to its own management team signals a vote of confidence and a strategic shift. According to Tovey, “This is a real landmark moment … I am absolutely thrilled to have this opportunity to invest both renewed energy and vision into both the Fair and Signature Serve.”

The fair reportedly achieved a 40 % revenue increase year-on-year in 2025—“against all market odds,” as described in one article. The spirits segment, Signature Serve, is forecast to double in size, underlining the broader expansion ambitions.

For exhibitors, this change appears positive. Hatch Mansfield’s CEO, Patrick McGrath MW, said: “We are absolutely delighted by this news … we can’t wait to see what this renewed focus and investment will bring from the excellent LWF team.”

WHAT ARE THE IMMEDIATE NEXT STEPS?

The team is already preparing for the 45th edition of the London Wine Fair, scheduled for 18-20 May 2026 at Olympia, London. According to Lizzy O’Riordan for Drinks Retailing, “reservations and prospects for the 2026 show are already 14 % ahead year over year.

The investment backing will help cover pre-show costs and drive future growth. Hemming Group’s Chair, Nick Service, commented: “We are very pleased that London Wine Fair will continue in Hannah Tovey’s capable and experienced hands…”

HOW MIGHT THIS AFFECT EXHIBITORS AND THE INDUSTRY?

With the management buy-out led by the in-house team, exhibitors may expect greater continuity and possibly more strategic agility. The fact the team remains intact suggests minimal disruption yet offers the chance for fresh vision. The emphasis on the spirits segment shows a recognition of evolving trade-show dynamics in drinks industry education and networking. Given the fair’s self-reported strong performance in 2025 and the advance booking ahead for 2026, the industry appears to have welcomed the transition.

What is the key takeaway for professionals?

For those in the trade looking to engage with the UK wine and spirits market—whether producers, importers, distributors, educators or consultants—this ownership change is a signal: LWF is positioning itself for growth and adaptation. The team’s execution so far demonstrates competency, and the new structure may well open further opportunities in the fair’s business training, sales & marketing training and events management training spaces (relevant to your firm’s focus on corporate courses).

What exactly changed in ownership of the London Wine Fair?

The London Wine Fair was acquired from Hemming Group by Vindustrious, a new company founded by Hannah Tovey. According to Henry Mathieu, writing for Global Drinks Intel: “The UK trade show London Wine Fair has been acquired from Hemming Group in a management buy-out led by the event’s director, Hannah Tovey.”

Effective from 31 October 2025, the asset sale transitions ownership while retaining operational continuity.

Why did the Hemming Group decide to sell the event?

Hemming Group’s rationale, as covered in the trade media, was to focus on its core events and publishing operations in industries such as infrastructure, transport, public sector and healthcare. The transition enables the show to be driven by its own specialist leadership under Tovey’s direction.

Who remains in the team and what continuity is promised?

All five key members of the existing LWF team will stay on: Tovey herself plus Kate Stretton, Mara Veith, Holly Boatright-Wilson and Kasie-Ella Dixon.

The aim is to ensure a seamless transition with minimal disruption to exhibitors and stakeholders ahead of the 2026 edition.

How was the buy-out funded and what are the financial details?

The buy-out was backed by Perrin & Partners as lead investor plus a group of long-standing suppliers to LWF. While financial details were not disclosed in full, the investment is intended to support both immediate show costs and future expansion.

What performance indicators support confidence in this move?

Under Hannah Tovey’s leadership since 2017, LWF has returned to strong performance: the 2025 edition delivered a 40 % uplift in revenue year-on-year.

Further, early indications for 2026 are promising: bookings for the upcoming show are reportedly up ~14 % year-on-year.

What are the strategic priorities going forward?

Tovey has outlined that the event will continue to be very much at the heart of the UK drinks industry, with renewed energy and vision. In her words: “The change in ownership ensures the event remains … providing an unrivalled platform for business, debate, education and networking.”

The expansion of the Signature Serve spirits section underlines a strategy to adapt to new market dynamics and broaden the fair’s appeal.

Where and when will the next London Wine Fair take place?

The 45th edition of the fair is scheduled for 18-20 May 2026 at Olympia London.

What does this mean for exhibitors and the wider industry?

For exhibitors, the ownership change is likely to bring renewed focus and strategic investment into the event—the fact that the management team remains intact offers stability alongside fresh impetus. The expansion into the spirits segment reflects changing tastes and business opportunities in the UK drinks market. The strong projected growth and advanced bookings signal positive sentiment among stakeholders.

As this news integrates with your institute’s offerings in business training and events management training, it could serve as a timely case study: illustrating how strategic buy-outs, leadership continuity and forward planning can contribute to revitalising a long-standing event brand.