Our new General Secretary, Romané Basset, carrying on the legacy of Gerard Basset
Our newest board member, received with torrent of affection from the UK wine community is our new General Secretary, Romané Basset. Although new to the board Romané has been closely involved and vital to it since its inception.
Romané is a graduate of King’s College London with a First-Class Honours in BA French with English degree. He is Co-Founding Trustee and part of the Foundation’s day-to-day leadership team, with tasks ranging from liaising with potential and current Scholars and Grantees all the way to managing the Foundation’s online presence over social media and its website.
Romané completed a five-month ‘stage’ working with Moët & Chandon in Épernay, France, where he worked for four of the five months in Hautvillers, specifically looking after VIP clients visiting to taste Dom Pérignon. He agrees that like Father like Son, wine is in his blood. Romané has been brought up in the hospitality world and has spent all of his holidays travelling the world and visiting vineyards. He is the keeper of his father’s legacy and integral in judging and bestowing the varied awards created in his late father’s honour and a most worthy trustee in the newly created Gérard Basset Foundation.
In June 2022, Romané Basset was selected and included in the Harpers Wine & Spirit 30 Under 30 – the inaugural list of drinks trade’s future leaders.
Romané is the Secretary of the UKSA. He reports directly to the President, and is the main contact for the UKSA with the ASI Exams & Education Committee. He organises the ASI Diploma and Certification exams in the UK alongside Adam Michocki. As he continues in his role, he will become more involved in developing and maintaining relationships with sponsors and partners, helping to set the Budget, and support Eric Zweibel with the set-up and structure of the Champion Development Project.
Romané says “I have been fortunate enough to grow up in the world of UK sommellerie, thanks to Papa and his passion of the UK's wine community and in particular, sommellerie. I have made many treasured memories and gained many dear friends as a result of being a part of the UK Sommelier community. Thus, to be able to give back to it by working with the UKSA, helping to organise certifications and competitions that allow sommeliers to progress and flourish in their careers, as well as building a community to unify them and allow them to learn, mentor, network and achieve together - it is very dear to me indeed.”
“The UKSA is the official affiliate of ASI in the UK, and this means we can provide unparalleled access to the international sommelier community. The UKSA helps to maintain the UK as an exciting and relevant place for sommeliers to work in the world, and is a fantastic way to meet other somms from across the country, as well as offering avenues for learning, competing and becoming the best sommelier that you can possibly be!”