Diageo appointment heralds J&B shake up

Diageo Wines Europe, the umbrella company for Justerini & Brooks and Percy Fox & Co, has appointed Sarah Miles as its new managing director.

The move is accompanied by a number of promotions within the company’s buying and client-focused teams, with J&B’s former deputy managing director, Chadwick Delaney, becoming managing director and former buyer Giles Burke Gaffney stepping up to the post of buying director. New operations and marketing roles have also been created.

Miles joined DWE last year as commercial development director, having previously held the post of UK managing director for Diageo Reserve Brands as well as a number of marketing and commercial roles across Diageo Europe and Asia Pacific.

She replaces former DWE managing director Nick Hyde, who moves into the role of DWE chairman, where his outward-facing remit will complement his role as chairman of the Wine & Spirits Trade Association. Hew Blair remains in his post as chairman of J&B.

Emphasising a focus on further developing J&B’s private client business, Miles outlined: “We want to retain all the qualities and standards that set J&B apart from its competitors whilst bringing a freshness of approach to the role of the trusted wine merchant.

“We want to nurture our relationships with serious collectors and investors around the globe who love us for our portfolio of the best and most interesting wines, and know that there’s more to fine wines than Bordeaux.

“We have unprecedented access to the greats of Burgundy, Riesling and Barolo and have pioneered their current world standing. We know that there are new collectors who will share our passion for these wonderful wines too.”

Miles also pointed to a plan to develop J&B’s on-trade business “to focus on the very top restaurants and hotels in major UK cities.”

In addition to Burke-Gaffney’s promotion, the J&B buying team has been strengthened with the addition of Julian Campbell and Kate Janacek, who move across from the customer sales team.