Atkinson joins Wakefield

Ex-Pernod Ricard UK wine development director Adrian Atkinson has joined Australia’s Wakefield Wines as European market manager.

Atkinson will work closely with export general manager, Neil Hadley MW, and importer Louis Latour Agencies to help grow Wakefield in the UK.

Wakefield Wines managing director Mitchell Taylor said: “We’re proud of Wakefield’s success in the UK, and with Adrian’s established credentials and passion for the wine industry, we have a great opportunity to expand our growth in the region.

“Adrian brings a strong balance of market knowledge, product development and commercial grounding to the Wakefield team and we look forward to him being an integral part of evolving the Wakefield brand.”

Atkinson added: “I love Australia – the people, the place and its produce – so I’m delighted to be at the heart of all things at Wakefield.

“Being a part of a family-owned business is a new challenge for me, and it is exciting to be working so closely with the Taylors family to bring the Wakefield story to UK wine lovers.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the team here and in Australia to further shape Wakefield’s future in this market.”

Beginning as a senior wine buyer for Oddbins in the 90s, Atkinson moved onto Sainsbury’s where he worked on the retailer’s online/mail-order fine wine offering and from there to Allied Domecq and Pernod Ricard.