Amelia Dales, Commercial Director at British start-up Garçon Wines, inventors of 21st century, sustainable wine packaging and well-known for their multi award-winning flat wine bottles, has been recognised with two prestigious packaging industry accolades. Awarded the Rising Star award at the UK Packaging Awards 2020, and, separately, having also been chosen as one of this year’s winners of the Packaging Innovations’ 30 Under 30, Amelia is firmly establishing herself as one to watch in the packaging industry as she helps lead Garçon Wines in their commercial strategy to make the wine industry more sustainable through better packaging.
On reception of these two remarkable industry accolades, Amelia Dales said “When joining Garçon Wines in early 2018, it was clear that there was huge potential for a rewarding and successful career but, importantly, to also have a positive impact on a global industry through the introduction and adoption of sustainable wine packaging. My journey so far has been beyond anything I could have imagined, and it is incredibly motivating, humbling, and pivotal to receive the Rising Star award and to have been named as part of the Packaging Innovations 30 under 30. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity, trust, and freedom to make my own mark on our company as we continue to go from strength to strength. I am proud to be part of a start-up with huge ambition that is driven by a passionate leader and dedicated team. The future of Garçon Wines is bright and I’m excited to play my part in taking the company to new heights.”
In the 5-year history of the annual UK Packaging Awards, Amelia’s win marks the first time the Rising Star award has been awarded to someone working within an early-stage start-up. Additionally, in a traditionally male-dominated industry, rising female stars such as Amelia send a clear message to other women that the packaging industry, and the start-ups within, are a great place to shine. Garçon Wines works to nurture and encourage its team to achieve meaningful professional development. It aims to foster a professional yet familial culture amidst their dedicated work to bring about significant advancement within the wine industry. The company proactively makes roles available for those coming from diverse career paths and graduates, taking pride in recruiting team players who care and are driven to do what’s right for triple bottom line sustainability.
Having joined Garçon Wines from outside of the packaging industry, Amelia was recently appointed as Commercial Director from her former role as the company’s Business Development Manager. In this role, she steered the start-up to flourish, following its initial commercial launch in the gifting industry in 2018, through to recent milestone collaborations, such as their ongoing collaboration with the UK’s no.1 wine company, Accolade Wines.
Company CEO, Santiago Navarro, commented “We are elated that Amelia has won the Rising Star award at the industry-leading UK Packaging Awards 2020. Biases aside, we could not think of a more fitting winner and are deeply grateful, humbled, and honoured that she has been recognised with these two accolades. Amelia has been fundamental to every important commercial relationship we have built, as a multi award-winning company that is making waves in the packaging, wine, and drinks industries. As my second-in-command, she carries significant importance in our company’s activities. She displays the commercial aptitude of someone twice her age, and benefits from the hard-working ethic and tenacity necessary to have the best chance of success. Thank you to Amelia for her continued commitment and dedication, and well done on this outstanding achievement.”
It is fitting that the sponsor of the Rising Star award, DS Smith, is Garçon Wines’ secondary packaging supply partner. Collaborations between innovative start-ups and successful giants, such as that between Garçon Wines and DS Smith, are important to have been able to build a company which at just a couple of years old is able to offer a platform for stars to rise.
Chris Murray, Managing Director at DS Smith Packaging UK, said “We are delighted to be presenting the Rising Star award to Amelia from Garçon Wines. Thanks to her work, Amelia has helped Garçon Wines in its visionary effort to bring sustainability to the heart of their offer. Our purpose says we want to “Redefine Packaging for a Changing World” and the collaboration with Garçon Wines and Amelia resulted in an amazing innovation that challenges the traditions of the wine industry.”
To follow and keep up to date with Amelia, you can find her LinkedIn profile here as well as the Garçon Wines company page here.
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For more information please contact the Garçon Wines team
press@garconwines.com / +44 (0)330 2234 123
