Fizz — Alcoholic Drinks and Food
Marie Cheong‑Thong
Educator, Writer & Competition Judge
Marie Cheong-Thong is a freelance educator, writer, competition judge and consultant in the alcoholic spirits and food domain. She chairs judging panels or is a senior judge at alcoholic drinks competitions worldwide, is the President of the British Sake Association, a freeman of the Worshipful Company of Distillers and the Chair of the Baijiu Association. In 2024, she was awarded the prestigious title of Sake Samurai by the Japan Sake Brewers Association. Marie is recognised by numerous professional and trade bodies including the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET), the Gin Guild, the Compagnie des Mousquetaires d'Armagnac, the Guild of Food Writers, the Association of Wine Educators and the Circle of Wine Writers.
- President, British Sake Association
- Sake Samurai
- Freeman, Worshipful Company of Distillers
- Chair, Baijiu Association
- Awamori Jinbner
Rx — Bioscience Business and R&D Management
Robert Thong
Fractional CEO, CBO & Non‑Executive Director
Robert Thong has over 35 years' leadership and advisory experience with bioscience R&D businesses and associated service providers across a dozen countries in Europe, the United States and Asia. He is an expert on the management of pharmaceutical R&D, life science R&D collaborations & alliances, and bioscience business models. Robert is a fractional Chief Executive Officer, Chief Business Officer or Non-Executive Board Director in various bioscience startups, and advises established organisations on R&D strategy, management and related organisational development. He is also the author of a full-length book on biopharma R&D partnerships, published in 2016.
- 35+ Years, Bioscience R&D
- Fractional CEO / CBO / NED
- Author, Biopharma R& Partnerships (2016)