Liberty Wines announces it has welcomed a new leader alongside its new investor.
The well-established business strategy, focused on quality and service, will be reinforced and accelerated by specialist firm Activequity whose sole focus is to provide active support and equity solutions to the premium wine trade.
Fergal Tynan, Master of Wine, and former Managing Director of Alliance Wine, has assumed leadership of Liberty Wines.
Tynan said, “Our priorities remain the same: our producers, our customers and our people, the quality of our portfolio, our commitment to wine education and the exceptional service people expect from Liberty Wines. Our immediate focus is on getting it right for our customers through our busiest trading period. We welcome the strength of backing that Activequity brings to Liberty Wines. We are looking forward to building further on our solid foundations, with a complete focus on quality of wines and service.”
The change of leadership and the investment by Activequity opens a new chapter for Liberty Wines. John Ratcliffe, who continues as a long-term adviser to the business, said “Liberty Wines is a very special company, and I wish the team every success in the next chapter of its evolution.”
Liberty Wines has long-standing producer relationships, a carefully selected portfolio with particular depth in Italian wines, and expertise across the on-trade and independent off-trade. It imports over 2,000 wines from around 400 producers, and its portfolio won more than 100 IWSC medals in 2025 across ten countries.
Alexander Bartholomew, Managing Partner of Activequity, said, “Liberty Wines is without doubt the most respected business in the UK & Ireland premium wine trade. It has an exceptionally talented team, an outstanding portfolio, and long-standing relationships with producers and customers. We value what makes Liberty Wines distinctive and are delighted to back the business for the long term.”
Activequity has acquired all shares in Liberty Wines including those of previous majority shareholder Sogrape. Fernando da Cunha Guedes, Chairman of Sogrape, said, “We are proud of Sogrape’s role in Liberty Wines’ development and the strong partnership we have built over the years. We welcome Activequity’s investment and remain confident in Liberty Wines, its team and its future. We look forward to continuing our close partnership as Liberty Wines distributes our wines in the UK.”
Liberty has received strong independent recognition for its portfolio, expertise, education and service. Recent awards include 2026 The Drinks Business Awards: Drinks Company of the Year, for the sixth time, 2026 IWC: Trade Educator of the Year, the ninth time Liberty has won the award, and at the 2026 Sommelier Wine Awards: Large Merchant of the Year.