A global team of experts

Tom Gearing

Co-Founder & CEO

London

As CEO, Tom Gearing oversees the company’s overall strategy, global operations and technology innovation, which has distinguished Cult Wines from its competitors as an industry leader. Tom has grown Cult Wines from a burgeoning start-up to an award-winning global company with over £265 million assets under management and more than 100 employees in six offices across the United Kingdom, North America, and Asia Pacific. Under his direction, the company has been named to the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 in 2015 and again in 2017, the SME Export Track 100 in 2016 and 2017 and the International Track 200 in 2018 and 2019.

Tom cultivated a passion for fine wine in his formative years, learning first-hand from his father who led numerous wine companies throughout his childhood. Tom spent a significant amount of time travelling with his father to the Cote d’Or, visiting vineyards and studying Bordeaux from the ground up, where he developed a keen interest in business and a bold vision for the future of fine wine. Tom’s expertise, entrepreneurship and innovative mind have been widely regarded and he is regularly quoted in the New York Times, Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and Forbes. He has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade and the Spear’s 500. Tom holds a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and graduated from Nottingham University with a BA in History.

Favourite Wine: Whilst Tom’s wine preferences often see him focussed on chardonnay and pinot noir, he likes to try as many different styles and grape varieties as possible. His most memorable vinous experiences to date are Petrus ’61 en Magnum, Liger Belair La Romanee ’09 and Domaine Leroy, Richebourg ’03.