About Halo Wines
Tim French, Violaine Manac’h and Jamie Waugh have each spent 35 years immersed in different aspects of the industry—from importing and buying to fine wine retail and client advising. They are joined by Nick Sowden, who adds a further decade of insight and energy, along with a fresh perspective on the evolving landscape of wine.
Together, they form the team behind Halo Wines—an independent and dynamic project rooted in curiosity, integrity, and a shared belief in wines of character. Their focus is on championing producers who farm sustainably, work thoughtfully in the cellar, and make wines that speak of place. Whether long-established estates or exciting new voices, every producer in the portfolio has been chosen for the quality of their work and the authenticity of their story.
Tim French
Tim had the great fortune to start his wine career at Lea & Sandeman where he gained his early experiences under the expert tutelage of Patrick and Charles. He then spent thirteen years at Fortnum and Mason’s, initially as the Wine Buyer, where he developed the own label range and launched the new wine department. He then became the Buying Director and really enjoyed the expanded responsibility for tea, chocolates, hampers and more.
More recently he was Managing Director at Thorman Hunt where he relished working with a very experienced team and an excellent list.
Violaine Manac’h
Violaine grew up in France and settled in London in 1996, with a Master’s degree in hand and the firm intention of pursuing a career in translation. Her plan however was slightly disrupted by the opportunity to join the office team of a specialist wine importer. She enjoyed being involved in all aspects of the day to day running of the business and hardly ever looked back.
A fascinating three year stay in Beijing allowed her to briefly return to translation, but she missed the UK wine trade and was extremely relieved to come back to it. Her secret work recipe: a weird passion for improving processes and solving issues, mixed with coffee and Champagne.
Jamie Waugh
Jamie was fortunate to experience the wine world early through his father, Harry Waugh, who arranged a secondment at a Bordeaux chateau after school. Jamie attended Manchester University, where he founded a Wine Society, then traveled to America, visiting Napa Valley and spending 9 months renting out surfboards in Los Angeles.
He eventually returned to London, worked at Oddbins for two years, and then joined Nick Hyde and Percy Fox selling wine to London restaurants. Later, he worked for OW Loeb under Chris Davey and Brough Gurney-Randall, selling Burgundy and Mosel wines. Jamie was then employed at Fortnum’s, where he sold wine to private customers and was promoted to Wine Buyer in 2014. After ten years, he joined Halo Wines in March 2024.
Nick Sowden
Nick originally discovered his interest in wine through his mother’s love of Riesling and her ever-growing taste for bold reds. His extensive experience in the hospitality industry truly ignited his own passion for wine, prompting a move from behind the bar to sharing that enthusiasm through sales.
You’ll generally find Nick outdoors—on a Cornish beach cooking on a BBQ, surfing, snowboarding, or training in a CrossFit gym.
Now with ten years in the wine trade, Nick has had the opportunity to work a harvest at the prestigious Dog Point Vineyard and Settlement Wines in New Zealand.
