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News
Treasury Wine’s MD for Europe Dan Townsend has died
The drinks business is very sad to report that Dan Townsend, managing director for Europe at Treasury Wine Estates, has died.
Dan Townsend: 1964 to 2017
Dan, who was 53 years old, passed away in the US last week, and, although the exact cause of his death is yet to be formally determined, db can confirm that it was due to natural causes.
Over the last 30 years Dan has been a much-loved member of the drinks trade working across different categories and channels, from the likes of Scottish Courage, to executive roles at Matthew Clark, Constellation Europe and Louis Latour.
Dan worked at Treasury Wine Estates for the last six years, beginning as general manager for the UK and Western Europe before rising to the position of managing director for Europe in April last year.
In a statement released by Treasury Wine Estates this morning, Dan was described as a “deeply respected” member of the business and “an inspirational leader”.
Over the last two years Dan was also the proud Chairman of drinks industry charity The Benevolent, helping raise substantial funds for members of the trade in desperate need of support.
Treasury Wine Estates CEO, Michael Clarke said: “Our deepest condolences go out to Dan’s family and loved ones. Dan is a big part of our business and he has been a role model for many. This is an incredibly sad time for our entire business, in particular for our UK and European teams.”
db’s thoughts go to his friends, colleagues and, in particular, his wife and children.
This is incredibly sad news. Dan was the MD at Matthew Clark when I joined the business back in 2001. He helped build the company to what we see today and without Dan’s leadership and vision at the time, Matthew Clark certainly would not be the company it is today.
A terribly sad loss to the drinks business and my condolences go to his family at this terribly sad time.
I have known Dan on and off since Scot Co, through MCW, a great character and leader, I am sure all of us that have come across Dan in the trade send our condolences to his family for their tragic loss.
I cannot believe it! What a great bloke – great sense of humour , good businessman and nice with it! How very sad and at 53!
Thoughts with his family….
Terribly sad news, over recent years I have become a big fan of Dan’s leadership, business acumen……..and sense of humour. A big loss – condolences to his family.
Sincere condolences to Dan’s family and of course the team at TWE. He was a big personality in all senses and a huge supporter of the UK wine trade, most recently through his work at The Benevolent. He will be greatly missed by us all.
So saddened by Dan’s early demise. A really good friend to many of us. We will miss his easy manner and professionalism.
While working at The Benevolent I had the pleasure of working with Dan who was our Chairman. He was compassionate, funny and ‘benevolent’ in the truest sense of the word. Condolences to his family, friends and all his colleagues at TWE.
We are blessed in this wonderful drinks trade to work with and meet real characters. Some are just fun to be with and some possess great business acumen and a few combine both. Dan was one of those – a true role model. Always happy to advise and assist and always a sharp mind and always a smile. One of the fairly rare ‘great blokes’. So sad. We will miss his guidance and leadership on the board of The Benevolent. Thoughts and prayers with his family.
I was saddened by the news of Dan’s passing, way too early for such a wonderful and respected character in the wine business. I knew Dan from his days at Matthew Clark and the change over to Constellation, I also have to say he was wonderful company on a trip to Rio with lots of Matthew Clark colleagues who will all be shocked by the sudden news.
A big personality, a great man and so many jokes, my condolences to his family for their tragic loss.
I am so saddened and shocked to hear of Dan’s passing. I was fortunate enough to work with Dan at Matthew Clark and previously at Courage where it was evident he was always destined to be an industry leader. Always sharp and incisive in business matters, he always seem to have a clear insight into the needs of the business. On a personal level, he was never less than totally supportive and encouraging. An absolute gentleman who defined decency. Deepest sympathies to all his family and friends.
Like so many in the trade my relationship with Dan was positive, motivational and ultimately rewarding… He was my first MD at Matthew Clark Birmingham and after seeing him only 3 weeks ago I really can’t believe he’s gone! A sad loss for everyone…
Such sad news. I have so much respect for Dan… he was first and foremost a ‘trade man’ and that is why we will miss him so dearly.
So sad and shocked to hear of Dan’s death – a great man in many senses. I worked with him at Matthew Clark, where his progressive attitude and policies turned the company around. He was always approachable and good natured. The only weakness in Dan’s make up was his support for Man. Utd. – but even this could be forgiven by his warm, friendly personality.
Having known Dan for about 8 years, I’m sure he will be greatly missed as an inspirational, role model & leader to his team at TWE as well as throughout the Wine industry in general. On a personal note I played golf with Dan on a few occasions and grew to appreciate his charming manner and witty sense of humour at close quarters. Our condolences obviously now go to his family for their tragic loss.
Very sad news indeed. Dan was great company, very approachable and a natural leader.
My condolences to his family and work colleagues.
The trade has lost a great ambassador.
So very sad to hear this news. I worked with Dan at Constellation and he was a fantastic boss and mentor. He remained a very close and respected colleague and friend since then. He will be sadly missed by the entire industry. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and the TWE team.
So very very sad news. I worked with Dan at Constellation and he was a fantastic boss and mentor. He remained a very close colleague and friend since then. He will be greatly missed by the entire industry. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and the TWE team.