Beynat’s replacement at Vinexpo announced

Robert Beynat, managing director of Vinexpo, is to begin the process of stepping down this autumn – leaving the role to be filled by Laurent-Perrier’s Guillaume Deglise.

Beynat announced last month that this year’s show would be his last in Bordeaux. Vinexpo confirmed to the drinks business that the news was correct but added that no official statement would be forthcoming until after the show.

Beynat will apparently hand over to Deglise (pictured) on 15 September after 32 years involvement with both Bordeaux and the exhibition which he has successfully transferred overseas to Hong Kong as well.

During that time the fair has swelled from 524 exhibitors and 11,000 visitors from 50 countries in 1981 to over 2,500 exhibitors and 48,000 visitors from 150 countries.

Beynat explained: “I’m 65, it’s about time I handed over. But I won’t be totally gone!” he added.

The Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said French newspaper Sud-Ouest, will still be relying on him to help the new director settle in as well as help with the running of next year’s Vinexpo Hong Kong in May.

His successor is currently head of Champagne Laurent-Perrier’s Swiss operation.

Originally from Lorraine, he studied at the school of commerce in Dijon and speaks six languages – which has earned him the nickname “the polyglot of Laurent-Perrier”.

He has worked for the house since 2002 and was export director for markets including Italy, Spain, Scandinavia and Latin America before taking over in Switzerland.