Broadland appoints former Accolade chief as CEO

UK importer and bottler Broadland Wineries has announced today that Paul Schaafsma will join the business as CEO with immediate effect.

Former Accolade chief Paul Schaafsma is taking on the role of CEO at UK wine importer and bottler Broadland Wineries

Schaafsma, formerly CEO of Accolade Wines, takes on the position because Mark Lansley, the owner of Broadland Wineries, is stepping back from the day-to-day running of the business and taking on the new role of part-time chairman.

Lansley described Paul as “a proven international brand builder and organisation developer,” who knows “how to create consumer pull, and how to add value to retailer-led businesses”.

Meanwhile, Schaafsma said that Broadland is “is a diverse and exciting wine business with significant untapped potential.”

Continuing, he commented that “a brand-led portfolio is likely to feature in our plans and I look forward to sharing more news shortly.”

Broadland Wineries is an international wine importer, bottler, innovator and supplier of branded and private label wines to the UK, US and Nordic markets.

Established in 1965, the company has 130 staff and an annual turnover of £60m.

In addition to private and own label, the company has developed a number of wine brands including Waipapa Bay, Three Mills, Minivino and Le Soleil.

Since May, the company has launched several new products including Bird’s Eye View from Langhorne Creek, Artisento Prosecco and TrimVin, a 187ml low calorie, lighter alcohol red, white and rosé.

The company has increased its turnover by 600% since 2006.

In September this year, Boutique New Zealand wine company Invivo Wines announced the appointment of Schaafsma to lead the company as it eyes up global growth.

However, Schaafsma is a non-executive director of Invivo, and has said that this role is complementary to his new post at Broadland, confirming that there is no conflict between the two business.