Our Regional Chairs select the voters across the UK to take part in Class Bar Awards vote. They have been chosen for their standing and knowledge of bars and the industry figures in their regions.
Jenny Griffiths, Chair for Wales
Jenny has worked in the drinks industry across the UK for as long as she can remember. Beginning her career in the late-night venues of Cardiff she quickly found a passion for spirits and mixed drinks and soon headed to London to follow that dream. Working across a number of bars in the capital she quickly found her dream role of Chartreuse Brand Ambassador for the UK, taking her to the new distillery opening in France alongside sharing the history of the brand across the UK. You'll now find Jenny back in her native Wales, running her own consultancy and bottled cocktail company Distill and Fill. Instagram: @griffithsdrinks
Ronan Collins, Chair for Northern Ireland
Actor, surf coach, dog lover, AKA Whiskey4Breakfast, Ronan Collins works across the drinks industry specialising in world class cocktails and Irish Whiskey. Ronan bartended at Dandelyan, Trailer Happiness and even a guest shift in 10 Downing Street before setting up his Belfast based drinks consultancy. He also co-founded 'Redacted Independent Bottlers' and co-hosts 'Pour Decisions' podcast show in which he travels to the best bars and pubs to chat drinks. Did he tell you he did an IronMan? Instagram: @whiskey4breakfast
Ellen Manning, Chair for England - Midlands
Ellen Manning is a journalist with nearly 20 years experience writing for national, regional and local publications. She focuses on food and drink and is a contributor of both reviews and features for Class. Midlands-based, she champions independent businesses in the region and also writes an award-winning food and drink blog. Instagram: @eatwithellen
Dave Marsland, Chair for England - North
Dave Marsland - aka Drinks Enthusiast - has 15 years experience of bartending, management, ownership in both on and off-trade sectors. Dave owns a brand agency, but also owns Manchester Rum Festival and helps curate Northern Restaurant and Bar trade show. Having written and commentated on the bar industry for more than a decade, Dave is also the Class reviewer for the north of England. Instagram- @drinksenthusiast
Blythe Robertson, Chair for Scotland
Blythe Robertson is Class Bar Magazine's reviewer across Scotland. He has written about food and drink for more than a decade.
For many years, he hosted Edinburgh's silent reading and cocktails night - Hush Hour - at Lucky Liquor Co. He is a director at CamenaUK, an organisation that works with businesses to use creativity to drive strategy. He was previously a director at MHScot Workplace Wellbeing CIC, which supported the hospitality sector with mental health first aid training.
Hamish Smith, Chair for England - South
Hamish Smith is an award-winning drinks journalist, specialising in the bar industry. Based in London, he edits UK bartender magazine CLASS, works across sister title Drinks International as Bars Editor and is a former editor of The World’s 50 Best Bars, where he is now Academy Chair for UK & Ireland. Over a near 15-year career in drinks, Hamish has established himself as a key commentator of the global bar industry. Instagram- @hamishssmith
