What is Sussex Modern?
Sussex Modern is the wine tourism development agency for Sussex. Telling a story of Sussex that is about more than sleepy villages, coastal retirement towns and historic ruins, we celebrate and promote Sussex as now home to a vibrant, youthful culture for audiences with metropolitan tastes for world-class art and high-quality wine – all within breathtaking landscapes.
Visit Sussex
Founded in 2017, Sussex Modern is an independent business consortium with a distinctive voice and an agile approach. We work to build a new narrative for Sussex, which will bring visitors and investment to the region by celebrating the county’s unique contribution to modern culture and experiences.
To do this, Sussex Modern acts as a creative producer, placemaking agency and tourism brand working with some of the UK’s most vibrant and pioneering cultural organisations and vineyards, with the distinctive landscape of the South Downs National Park at its heart. We work across geographic, political and sector borders because we have always been driven by visitor insight and audience data.
We bring together unique experiences across Sussex with the creativity that defines the county’s modern, innovative, and independent spirit. Sussex Modern is independent and business-led, working closely with the region’s local authorities, tourism agencies and local economic partnerships. In the last year, the consortium has led on the delivery of over £1m of public investment to build a brand for the region’s wine and cultural visitor economy, and to build an evidence base for future investment.
Ayesha Karim
Head of Product at EQL
Katharine Beer
Sustainable Tourism Lead at SDNP
Kirsty Goring
Brand Director At Wiston Estate
Mark Driver
Owner Of Rathfinny Wine Estates
Nathaniel Hepburn
Ceo Of Charleston & Chair Of Sussex Modern
Stewart Drew
Ceo Of De La Warr Pavilion & Chair Of 1066 Country
Torvald De Coverly Veale
Business & Brands Strategic Advisor At Dcv Brand Essentials
Our supporters
Sussex Modern has been made possible with the generous support of our art, landscape and wine partners. We are grateful for the additional support of:
Becoming a Sussex Modern Partner
Joining Sussex Modern is currently by invitation, as we manage the speed of growth, the geographical spread of partners and the market focus of our brand and campaigns. We are seeking partners who are:
Distinctive: you will pride yourself in being different and will want to stand out from the crowd.
Independent: you will be authentic to your vision and will celebrate the creative people you work with.
Local: you will be connected to the people, products and landscape of Sussex.
Youthful: your business will be pioneering, creative, innovative and maybe even disruptive.
High-quality: you will strive for attention to detail and a passion for excellence and as a result you aspire for a regional, national or international reputation.
If you think you might be a good fit, contact us on hello@sussexmodern.org.uk
For all press enquiries, please contact Sarah Jones at Wilderness PR: sarah@wildernesspr.co.uk
