Philippa Saunders

Philippa joined the team in spring 2024 but has known Jon for years (and occasionally managed to sell wine to him). She tried to leave the wine trade for a while but the pull was too strong. Over the years, she has worked for some eminent UK importers and despite a deep-rooted vinous curiosity, frequently returns to good chardonnay, pinot noir and nebbiolo. After stints in London and Cambridgeshire, she moved back to her roots in the North West in 2016. When Jon heard she was considering returning to the wine trade, he jumped at the chance to bring her on board, putting a finely honed palate and graceful charm to work to develop the agency arm of Define. Watch this space!

An avid reader, Philippa now leads our quarterly De:Book club sessions alongside Howard Kelly, the former head of English at The Grange school. She has a new-found love of all things cricket (just don’t mention the injuries) and loves walking in the hills with a pub lunch afterwards and of course, good food and wine.

She lives in Knutsford with her two children, and her beloved Burmese cat. (I’m pretty sure the children are beloved too!)

Q&A

Greatest achievement:

Regularly throwing myself in a cold lake without a wetsuit. Even during the winter months when it has frozen over and got down to 2 degrees. And helping people create really good mental health. In my spare time, I’m a mental health coach.

Secret I don’t want to share:

I’m a grade 8 pianist too, but don’t ask me to play anything as I’m rather rusty. I’m also having singing lessons.

Superpowers:

The ability to tear not one but two ACLs (both skiing) and needing two surgeries on my right knee so far this year. Don’t mention going back to cricket.