Having a complicated childhood definitely helped hugely with hindsight. I obviously wasn’t aware of it at the time. I had to be independent from a very young age and quickly realised how tough life could be from a financial perspective—living with my single mother, working a few jobs.

Amanda Thomson. Photo by Moritz Steiger

I remember, even then, recognising the importance of standing up to be counted, not being afraid to take an independent path and what my New York friends call “hustling”. 

I was always focused on building an interesting life. Strangely perhaps, that’s an early memory. 

In my early career as a journalist, I picked up work others above me weren’t keen on, built a print portfolio, and filmed clips for a TV showreel. I put in extra hours to learn how to edit a package for broadcast and operate a radio desk, which allowed me to strengthen my broadcast skills both during university and just after graduating.

I got used to saying ‘yes, I could do things’ and then figuring out the actual ‘how’ afterwards! I soon realised that this becomes easier the more you do it. I started to learn quickly that you didn’t need to be the smartest in the room. It was the extra 1% that made all the difference, the bit that most people just aren’t prepared or interested to give. This is especially true today in the modern workplace. 

Journalism suited me and gave me a great career foundation, as I have always had a strong sense of justice. I considered a law career but realised all the required academic learning would not have suited my personality – it was only the seduction of the dramatic court speeches in A Few Good Men or Erin Brockovich that I was picturing. 

I have learnt, as I have grown up, that British culture – my culture – means we (collectively) often don’t speak up for others, even if we believe there is an injustice. 

So, in my personal as well as business life, I do my best to listen to my moral compass and raise a topic, even if it may be uncomfortable. 

I always try to do this in a calm, measured way, and my life experience is helpful in this arena.

I believe barriers are there to be broken as long as the means are legal, of course! I don’t believe focusing on one’s weaknesses is helpful. The key is developing resilience and a sense of character, self-esteem, and truly recognising that any of us has the power to change something if we focus hard enough on it and are prepared to put the time and effort in. That is the only secret sauce. The hard work. And most of us don’t want to hear that. 

The modern world celebrates a magic, quick fix for everything. The reality is that change is incremental and takes time, and we stand on the shoulders of others when it comes to greatness. 

Awards are interesting to me to analyse conceptually, as they give you external validation and feed your soul very briefly, but they are ultimately ephemeral.

Amanda Thomson. Photo by Edward Bishop

I use them to prove I am getting the cut-through in my industry and as a springboard to the next level.

Winning the Drinks Business Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 award was a significant landmark, as it shows that Noughty Non-Alcoholic Wine is now firmly part of the global drinks world.

A Disruptor isn’t afraid to think differently, do what hasn’t been done before, and stand up for what they believe in. That’s me—and my favourite fellow founders. Hopefully, we make the world a better place in doing so. 

I am reminded of a wonderful quote from Jacqueline de Rojas CBE, President of Digital Leaders: "If you think you’re too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito in the room."

Amanda Thomson, CEO and Founder of B Corp Certified Thomson & Scott, has created NOUGHTY, the world’s first premium non-alcoholic wine portfolio.  Amanda, who is of South Asian heritage, won the 2025 The Drinks Business Entrepreneur Award and was voted one of Business Insider’s Coolest People in Food & Drink, Le Cordon Bleu’s Best Wine Concept, and is an EY Winning Woman.

Formerly an Arts Broadcaster at the BBC, Thomson studied for her Diploma in Wine at the renowned Le Cordon Bleu School in Paris and is leading the global shift to integrate quality non-alcoholic wine drinking into the traditional drinks industry.

NOUGHTY is poured in the world’s best bars, hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants. The brand is fast-growing its footprint across the US, its key market, as well as London, its home market, and beyond.