Frances Bentley is Wine Buyer at LWC Drinks, one of the UK's leading drinks wholesalers, where she is responsible for sourcing and developing a diverse portfolio of wines for the on-trade and off-trade. She works closely with producers around the world, balancing quality, value, and commercial appeal to build wine ranges that meet the evolving needs of restaurants, bars, retailers, and consumers.

Recognised as one of the UK's influential wine buyers, Frances combines strong market insight with a passion for discovering wines that perform both commercially and in the glass. Her expertise spans portfolio development, supplier partnerships, and identifying emerging consumer trends, making her a respected voice within the UK wine trade.

As a judge at the London Wine Competition, Frances evaluates wines from the perspective of a professional buyer, assessing not only quality but also value, packaging, and marketability. Her judging reflects the competition's unique focus on identifying wines that are both exceptional in quality and commercially successful in today's global marketplace.