This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
News
BUSINESS APPOINTMENTS
“standfirst”>Bordeaux turns to Morton…Argentina’s ace…Compass sacks execs over UN case…Cobra moves sales in-house…Other news
Bordeaux turns to Morton
Douglas Morton, former managing director of Baron Philippe de Rothschild UK, has been appointed as a UK consultant for the Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB).“The CIVB has made this new appointment to improve our understanding of the increasingly competitive and complex British market and enable us to put a local interpretation on our global strategy,” says Pascal Loridon, CIVB’s marketing director. Morton comments, “Bordeaux is the finest winemaking region in the world and I feel passionately about the great diversity of quality wines produced there, to suit every pocket.”
The CIVB have also appointed a new PR agency for the UK. From January 2006 R&R Teamwork will replace Peretti Communications, which has been working with Bordeaux since 2003. Morton says, “Bordeaux is full of dynamism, and this appointment reflects the CIVB’s intention of communicating to a wider audience the many new initiatives taking place in the region.”
Argentina’s ace
Wines of Argentina has appointed Fernando Farré as its new MD. He returns to his home country with a wealth of marketing experience gained from promoting global brands, including Carrefour, Coca-Cola and Ralph Lauren fragrances.
“I feel that it is essential to attach brand values to the Argentine wine category to raise awareness, and that in order to increase market share both by volume and value we will need to implement a strategic campaign that is consumer-driven and not production-driven,” says Farré.
Compass sacks execs over UN case
The world’s biggest caterer, Compass Group, has fired three employees following an internal investigation that uncovered “serious concerns” about their conduct in attempting to secure contracts with the United Nations.Peter Harris, head of the company’s UK & Ireland, Middle East and Africa division and former chief executive of subsidiary company Eurest Support Services (ESS) was dismissed alongside ESS business development executive Andy Siewert and a third ESS executive the company refused to name. Harris and Siewert were indirectly linked with UN procurement officials who were arrested over millions of dollars of bribery. The UN suspended ESS as a registered vendor on October 21.
One Compass shareholder said the dismissals showed that incoming chairman Sir Roy Gardner was “getting a grip on the business and willing to take the action necessary to realise the value”.
Cobra moves sales in-house
After three successful years of partnership with SHS Sales & Marketing, Cobra Beer will be taking its sales development in-house from January 1. The move is part of a robust in-house restructuring of Cobra’s sales management team which includes the appointments of Jane Taylor as national sales manager, Chris Wild as national accounts controller and Peter Piercey as business development manager.
Other newsThe WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) has undergone a major recruitment drive and restructuring to increase its customer service. David Hunter, previously principal of WSET School, now heads a UK development team of five, with Mike Walpole, ex-trade relations manager at Diageo GB, as business development manager for the South. As director of education, Karen Douglas heads up the WSET.Oenologist Andrés Marichal has been appointed new chairman of Wines Of Uruguay. He will be ably assisted by Daniel Mutio, vice president. In South Africa, Chris O’Shea has been appointed as executive director, sales and marketing for Omnia Wines, while Bertus Fourie, one of the country’s top young winemakers, has been appointed senior winemaker at KWV. Liberty Wines has appointed Pippa Askham as marketing manager. She has previously worked with Negociants UK and the Australian Wine Bureau in New York.
Funkin, suppliers of fruit juices and purees to the on-trade, announces three senior-level appointments: Jaye Stahlhut joins as brand development manager; Greg Akoka as export manager; and Sue Henney as business development manager for new venture fk:one which deals with bar and waitstaff recruitment and training.
© db December 2005