Giota Polizoudi is Senior Spirits Buyer at Marks & Spencer, one of the UK's leading retailers, where she is responsible for sourcing, developing and managing a commercially successful portfolio of spirits for one of the country's most influential retail drinks ranges. With more than 15 years of buying experience across wines, spirits, food and general merchandise, she combines deep category expertise with a strong understanding of consumer trends, supplier partnerships and retail strategy.

Throughout her career, Giota has worked closely with producers, brand owners and distributors to identify innovative products that deliver outstanding quality, value and consumer appeal. Her buying decisions are guided by evolving market trends, premiumisation opportunities and changing shopper behaviour, helping shape a spirits range that resonates with today's retail customers.

As a judge at the London Spirits Competition, Giota brings the perspective of a major retail buyer who evaluates spirits not only for their quality, but also for their commercial potential, value proposition and ability to succeed on retail shelves. Her expertise provides valuable insight into what leading UK retailers look for when selecting products that stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace.