Henry Thorogood DipWSET
Sake Educator
Henry is a drinks consultant specialising in Japanese beverage culture, and European Representative of Shimizu Seizaburō Shōten, producer of the sake Zaku, where he gained first-hand brewing experience.
A Mathematics graduate from Oxford University, Henry spent six year in the investment world, becoming a Chartered Financial Analyst and exploring global investment opportunities for his clients. This experience revealed his interests lay not in quantitative work, but in communicating complex ideas across cultures. Drawn to Japanese culture, Henry pursued a Master's degree in Japanese Studies at SOAS, University of London and Nagoya University. His graduation theses involved qualitative interview-based research understanding Japanese women's experiences in the male-dominated sake industry.
Alongside cultural studies, Henry developed his passions for sake, wine, and spirits, earning the JSA Sake Diploma International, WSET Diploma in Wines, and WSET Level 3 Award in Spirits. He began offering beverage consulting services in 2020. Henry now serves as a competition judge, notably judging sake and wine at the International Wine Challenge, and Asian Spirits at the International Spirits Challenge. In 2024, Henry became a WSET Certified Educator in Sake, teaching at WSET School London. He volunteers as Honorary Secretary at the British Sake Association, promoting sake understanding and enjoyment.)