Business Appointments – Other News

Sainsbury’s has recruited a new member to its wine team.  Taking on the role of product technologist for wines, beers and spirits is Barry Dick, who has spent the last six years as a winemaker for a number of companies, including Jacques Lurton, Kendall Jackson, McGuigan’s and WaverleyTBS.

The Compass Group has appointed a new chief executive. Richard Cousins, former boss of plasterboard company BPB, takes over from Michael Bailey, whose position was affected by a series of profit warnings. Cousins takes up the role on 1 June, having been offered a salary of  £750,000 and a performance-related annual bonus. However, his basic pay package is lower than Bailey’s near-£1 million salary.

Lorne Gray from John E Fells  has been voted in as the new chair of the Spanish Wine Action Group (SWAG), replacing Richard Macadam of United Wineries, who helped set up the organisation in April last year. As brand group manager at John E Fells, Gray represents the wines of Miguel Torres SA.

Richard Harvey MW has been appointed European head of wine for Bonhams. Harvey joined Bonhams as a consultant in 1997 and has overseen some of the company’s most lucrative wine sales, including the late September 2005 auction, which achieved a total of £391,850. Anthony Barne, MW, will continue to support the wine department focusing on the UK market, while Rebecca Russell will take on the new role of junior specialist at Bonhams.

db May 2006