Drinks trade triumvirate buy out Forth Wines

A group of drinks trade figures have purchased Scottish wine merchant Forth Wines from major UK wholesaler Matthew Clark for an undisclosed sum.

George Thomson, Ewen Cameron and Ian Cumming, together with accountant Alan Cramond, have bought the business with backing from the Royal Bank of Scotland and private investors.

Thomson, who takes up the position of managing director, has worked at Diageo in Scotland as well as managing First Drinks Brands’ business north of the border.

Cameron, who worked for over 20 years at Scottish & Newcastle (S&N), becomes chairman of Forth Wines, while Cumming, who becomes commercial director, was trading director in Scotland for Waverley TBS.

Meanwhile, Cramond, who previously ran his own company called Cramond Consultancy, will become the merchants’ finance director.

The buyout means that Forth’s 51 staff will automatically transfer to the new owners, apart from managing director Kenny Gray, who will “pursue a senior role within the Matthew Clark business”, according to Matthew Clark, which is part of Constellation Brands.

Forth will continuing to operate out of its offices in Milnathort, near Kinross.

Steve Thomson, Matthew Clark’s managing director, said: “As a company, we believe this mutually-beneficial sale of Forth Wines, to leading licensed trade figures, is the right one, as it remains the leading independent wine supplier, which will continue to grow under new ownership.  

“It was a difficult decision, but we are confident this deal will allow us to concentrate on other areas within our business, while remaining committed to the Scottish market, with our Glasgow and Dundee operations,” he added.  

Patrick Schmitt, 05.08.2010