Latest news with #Moncrieff
Extra.ie
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Gavin James to perform at Live at the Breakwater concert series this August
Tickets will be available below. Gavin James will perform at Live at the Breakwater on August 2 in Wexford. Pre-sale begins on May 22 at 9 a.m., with general sales kicking off on May 23 at 10 a.m. Under 14s can enter for free when accompanied by an adult. The venue's concert series will take place between July 31 and August 9. Other headline acts include Amble, The Waterboys, Moncrieff and Jax Jones. 'We're absolutely thrilled to announce Gavin James as the final addition to this summer's Live at The Breakwater lineup said Brian Byrne of Wexford-based promoter Lantern. 'Set against the iconic waterfront of Wexford town, this year marks the second edition of the series, and with two additional dates, it is bigger and better than ever. The skyline view from Wexford looking over is something we're incredibly proud of, and we can't wait to share it with audiences again this July and August.' James has sold over 250,000 tickets worldwide, performing across Europe, Australia and the UK. His new single, Cherry Cola, will be released later in June, preceding the release of his upcoming album. 'I'm delighted to be returning with my band to Wexford to play the big top at Breakwater!' he said. Tickets will be available here.
Int'l Business Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
The Platform Making Fine Wine and Spirits as Easy to Collect as Watches or Sneakers
Fine wine and premium spirits are no longer confined to the cabinets of connoisseurs or the vaults of collectors. A growing number of investors are treating bottles the same way others treat sneakers or luxury watches—assets with both personal value and long-term return potential. Decant Index , a digital platform developed by Decant Group, is helping lead that shift. It offers a structured way for people to buy, store, and track investment-grade wine and spirits through one interface. With more than 44,000 users and over $6.1 million already returned to clients, the platform is proving that tangible collectables have a place in modern portfolios. Breaking Down Barriers to Entry Traditionally, entering the spirits investment world meant having industry connections or deep pockets. Decant Index aims to make it far more approachable. "Our mission with Decant Index is to democratize access to this compelling asset class," said Alistair Moncrieff, CEO of Decant Group. "By offering data-rich resources alongside curated collections at various price points, we empower both first-time buyers and seasoned investors to participate with confidence." Entry points are intentionally flexible. American whiskey options start at $2,500, and the Wine Cellar Plan allows monthly investments starting at $330. So far, the platform has handled more than 1,618 successful investment exits and distributed over $6.1 million to its members. Digital Access, Real-World Security Even though Decant Index is built as a digital-first experience, it hasn't ignored the physical realities of collectable assets. In 2024, Decant Group—under its own unique brand of Decant Bond—opened a bonded warehouse in Alloa, Scotland, equipped with climate control and security features. The facility ensures secure, insured storage for all assets. Moncrieff says the warehouse is a key part of the long-term strategy. "We designed Decant Index to offer not just digital convenience but also real-world assurance of quality and authenticity." The company also hosts tasting events and collector meetups through its membership program, offering users the chance to engage with the assets—and the people behind them—offline. Collecting on a Global Scale As global interest in alternative assets grows, Decant Index is expanding its offerings. In addition to whisky and wine, the platform recently added high-end rum to its inventory. U.S. expansion is also a priority, especially as demand for Bourbon continues to rise. According to the Distilled Spirits Council, sales of super-premium Bourbon rose 18% from 2020. The platform's includes customized portfolio plans and flexible exit options, aligning with a market that values both control and liquidity. Decant Index isn't just building a place to invest—it's building infrastructure for a global collectables economy. Decant Group's New E-commerce Platform: House of Decant House of Decant E-commerce. Decant Group Soon to launch fully into the market, House of Decant is Decant Group's dedicated e-commerce platform — luxury retail, reimagined. It offers a curated, concierge-led experience with fast delivery, flexible subscriptions, and a home for both heritage labels and emerging brands. "We're building a platform that redefines how premium wine and spirits are discovered, purchased, and enjoyed — tailored for the expectations of the modern luxury consumer," says Chris Seddon, Managing Director of Decant Group. Shop with House of Decant here .
Sydney Morning Herald
09-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney's accidental MPs who seized Liberal seats when no one was looking
He has lived in the Shire his whole life, attending local Catholic schools (St John Bosco primary and high schools in Engadine) and the Shire campus of Wollongong University, where he studied economics and finance. He has worked for a Shire state MP (Maryanne Stuart, the Labor MP for Heathcote) and his parents are local public school teachers. Moncrieff says his strength was knowing so many people in his community, whether from his former schools or cricket club or through his family. 'I focused on direct community engagement, I campaigned full-time and being a local, I knew a lot of the issues, and when I would door knock, there was always people I knew, or knew my parents,' Moncrieff says. 'We have lots of small business owners and lots of people with technical education such as tradies so the messages – tax cuts, fee-free TAFE – were resonating with people. I was a teenager in the Rudd-Gillard years when the Labor brand was toxic, but now people see us as pro business and pro economy.' Moncrieff is adamant his win was not a fluke. Rather, it was the result of plenty of hard work. 'The fact that Hughes wasn't being looked at on election night, summed it up. People felt that they had been ignored,' Moncrieff says. Soon, meanwhile, is a former diplomat who was stationed in Afghanistan. He was the youngest ever appointee to the NSW Board of Studies and studied at the Australian National University. Born in Malaysia, Soon moved to Sydney aged three and grew up in Revesby. He went to Hurlstone Technology High and is now raising his young family in Padstow. Apart from his overseas posting and his university studies, Soon has never left Banks. He has had a long career in public policy, especially education, and behavioural economics – but had a calling to politics. Soon unsuccessfully contested Banks for Labor at the 2022 election. So how did he pull off a task no one thought possible this time? 'In my heart of hearts I thought Banks was a Labor seat,' Soon, 39, says. 'I was focused on the hard work, knocking on thousands of doors and generally trying to help people, even with things that had nothing to do with the election. On one of the doors, I helped someone register their Service NSW app, so I just tried to be helpful to every person I met.' He says Labor's commitment to roll out more urgent care clinics was popular in Banks – a 'tangible' policy, he says – but Soon believes his lifelong ties to the electorate won him the seat. 'When people raise roads, I know exactly what they are talking about because I have driven on those roads all my life. I can tell them the best places to park,' Soon says. 'Banks is my home, it always has been.' Moncrieff and Soon had very little financial help from Labor head office, other than the standard allowance to cover how-to-vote cards, corflutes and campaign T-shirts. One senior party operative, who asked not to be named to speak frankly, said: 'They were definitely accidental MPs. Hughes and Banks were just not in our sights at all.' Moncrieff and Soon celebrated their wins on Saturday night, then it was straight back to work. Both were at train stations first thing on Monday. Moncrieff at Sutherland, Soon at Riverwood – this time, they went to thank voters for sending them to Canberra.
The Age
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
Sydney's accidental MPs who seized Liberal seats when no one was looking
He has lived in the Shire his whole life, attending local Catholic schools (St John Bosco primary and high schools in Engadine) and the Shire campus of Wollongong University, where he studied economics and finance. He has worked for a Shire state MP (Maryanne Stuart, the Labor MP for Heathcote) and his parents are local public school teachers. Moncrieff says his strength was knowing so many people in his community, whether from his former schools or cricket club or through his family. 'I focused on direct community engagement, I campaigned full-time and being a local, I knew a lot of the issues, and when I would door knock, there was always people I knew, or knew my parents,' Moncrieff says. 'We have lots of small business owners and lots of people with technical education such as tradies so the messages – tax cuts, fee-free TAFE – were resonating with people. I was a teenager in the Rudd-Gillard years when the Labor brand was toxic, but now people see us as pro business and pro economy.' Moncrieff is adamant his win was not a fluke. Rather, it was the result of plenty of hard work. 'The fact that Hughes wasn't being looked at on election night, summed it up. People felt that they had been ignored,' Moncrieff says. Soon, meanwhile, is a former diplomat who was stationed in Afghanistan. He was the youngest ever appointee to the NSW Board of Studies and studied at the Australian National University. Born in Malaysia, Soon moved to Sydney aged three and grew up in Revesby. He went to Hurlstone Technology High and is now raising his young family in Padstow. Apart from his overseas posting and his university studies, Soon has never left Banks. He has had a long career in public policy, especially education, and behavioural economics – but had a calling to politics. Soon unsuccessfully contested Banks for Labor at the 2022 election. So how did he pull off a task no one thought possible this time? 'In my heart of hearts I thought Banks was a Labor seat,' Soon, 39, says. 'I was focused on the hard work, knocking on thousands of doors and generally trying to help people, even with things that had nothing to do with the election. On one of the doors, I helped someone register their Service NSW app, so I just tried to be helpful to every person I met.' He says Labor's commitment to roll out more urgent care clinics was popular in Banks – a 'tangible' policy, he says – but Soon believes his lifelong ties to the electorate won him the seat. 'When people raise roads, I know exactly what they are talking about because I have driven on those roads all my life. I can tell them the best places to park,' Soon says. 'Banks is my home, it always has been.' Moncrieff and Soon had very little financial help from Labor head office, other than the standard allowance to cover how-to-vote cards, corflutes and campaign T-shirts. One senior party operative, who asked not to be named to speak frankly, said: 'They were definitely accidental MPs. Hughes and Banks were just not in our sights at all.' Moncrieff and Soon celebrated their wins on Saturday night, then it was straight back to work. Both were at train stations first thing on Monday. Moncrieff at Sutherland, Soon at Riverwood – this time, they went to thank voters for sending them to Canberra.
