Top people moves: January-February

Majestic Wines makes staffing reshuffle

Alex Jablonowski

Wine retailer Majestic made a number of staffing changes at the start of this year. In February, it named Alex Jablonowski as its new chief financial officer.

Jablonowski, who has held roles at Tesco and Costa Coffee, joins Majestic from his role as CFO at fashion retailer Oasis Warehouse, a job he secured after leaving his post at British toyshop Hamleys earlier than expected in 2018.

In January, the retailer confirmed the departure of managing director Josh Lincoln, and also the promotion of buying and sourcing director Rob Cooke to chief commercial officer.

Lincoln’s role is not expected to be filled, and executive chairman John Colley, who re-joined the business last autumn, will take on the role of executive chairman.

Robert Foye appointed COO of Accolade Wines

Following his abrupt departure from Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) in early 2019, Robert Foye joined Accolade Wines as COO in February.

Before joining Accolade Wines, Foye spent almost five years at TWE as COO and contributed to the important breakthrough in the Asian market.

Prior to that, he was the vice-president of customer and commercial Asia-Pacific at Coca-Cola.

Back in January 2019, Foye left TWE “due to a breach of TWE’s internal policies”, according to an official statement. In February 2019, his close associate Peter Dixon, the former managing director of Asia for TWE, also exited the company and joined Accolade Wines soon after as regional managing director, Asia.

This sparked a court case, reportedly on charges of intellectual property theft, with TWE trying to win back a AU$1.3 million bonus it paid had Dixon. The case was settled out of court.

Adam Lapierre MW becomes president of Vinfolio

Vinfolio CEO and co-owner, Don St. Pierre, handed over leadership of the California-based fine wine business to Adam Lapierre MW in February. 

Lapierre has spent two years at Vinfolio, first leading the buying team and then taking over collector sourcing and private client sales, before becoming president on 1 February.

Before joining Vinfolio, he held various industry roles for companies such as multinational retailer Lidl and importer Frederick Wildman and Sons.

As president, Lapierre will continue to grow Vinfolio’s business while also introducing a new product to the US market that allows consumers the option to secure a portfolio of investment-grade collectible wines, which can subsequently be held, traded or consumed as desired by the investor.

Jean-François van Boxmeer to retire as CEO of Heineken

Boxmeer revealed in February that he will retire in June this year and hand over his responsibilities to the head of Heineken’s Asia Pacific business, Dolf van den Brink.

Boxmeer, who joined Heineken in 1984, has been at the helm of the world’s second largest brewer for 15 years. In that time, he oversaw and managed €30 billion worth of acquisitions and investments worldwide.

Van den Brink will, subject to his appointment at the company’s 2020 AGM, join Heineken’s global executive board on 23 April, and work with Boxmeer for a “smooth and effective transition” until he bows out in June.

Phil Whitehead becomes BBPA chairman

The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) appointed the managing director of Molson Coors Western Europe, Phil Whitehead, as its new chairman in February.

Whitehead, who has been on the BBPA board since December 2016, succeeds Simon Emeny, the chief executive of brewery Fuller Smith & Turner, PLC, who has chaired the UK’s brewery and pub organisation for the last three years.

During his 14 years at Molson Coors, Whitehead’s positions included chief supply chain officer for the brewer’s European operations and managing director for the UK & Ireland business before he became MD of Western Europe.

Benchmark Drinks appoints Richard Dennis as marketing director

UK-based drinks company Benchmark Drinks has appointed former Sainsbury’s buyer Richard Dennis as its marketing director.

Dennis has 12 years’ experience in the wine trade, occupying roles in buying, selling and product development.

At Sainsbury’s, he managed a £380 million budget and supervised the implementation of a major category range review which involved consolidating the range by 18% and increasing average category profit by 2%.

Dennis will be managing the full stable of brands including Graham Norton, Ian Botham, Sarah Jessica Parker, Burch Family Wines and the recent addition of the Fecovita portfolio, which launched earlier this year at the Argentine Ambassador’s Residence with their premium Uco Valley brand Estancia Mendoza.

Maria Elener appointed sourcing and supplier manager for Europe at Off-Piste Wines

The former Waitrose and The Co-op buyer Maria Elener joined Off-Piste Wines in January to head up its European sourcing and supplying.

Elener has sixteen years’ experience in the retail sector, having started her wine career at Majestic and as an events coordinator for the Wine Society before joining The Co-op as a buyer in 2003. In 2012 she joined Waitrose where she was a buyer for Italy, Rhône, Eastern Europe, Austria and ‘other’ world wines.

She will work alongside South African-based Paul Meihuizen, who joined the company last year from Bibendum Off-Trade to oversee Off-Piste Wines’ New World sourcing and supply.

Edwin Vos announced as new head of Wines and Spirits at Christie’s

Auction house Christie’s appointed Edwin Vos as its new head of Wines and Spirits and lead auctioneer for the category in February.

Vos will be responsible for key consignments, wine business development initiatives worldwide and working with the wine departments in London, Hong Kong, New York and Geneva.

He joined the company in 2012 as head of the Wine Department in Amsterdam having held various positions in the wine trade beforehand.

He is particularly knowledgeable on Bordeaux, Burgundy, Madeira and Port. He was inducted into the Commanderie de Bontemps de Médoc, Graves, Sauternes & Barsac in 2007 and Confraria do Vinho do Porto in 2018.

Robert Rand named as Lanson UK managing director

Robert Rand

Following the departure of Paul Beavis in December, Champagne Lanson appointed Robert Rand as its new UK managing director in January.

Rand was previously Lanson’s UK sales director and has held a number of positions within the company, including head of on and off-trade sales and senior account manager for major multiples.

Drinks Retailing News reported that Beavis has since taken on the role of managing director of the Iconic Wineries of British Columbia, a role that is based in Vancouver.

Penny McDonald, Lanson’s senior PR and communications manager, also stepped down from her role last month. She will continue to be a consultant for the Champagne house.

Gareth Bath departs from Curious Drinks

Gareth Bath, the managing director of Chapel Down’s beer and cider division, Curious Drinks, announced his resignation from the Kent-based company in January after two years in the role.

Before joining Chapel Down, Bath was the managing director of brewing and international at Scottish craft beer giant BrewDog.

During his time at the English drinks producer, he has overseen the build of its new 2,900hl brewery in Ashford as well as helped to coordinate its rebranding.

The new brewery, which can produce more than 9,000 pints of beer a day, opened in May last year. 

Cristina Torres joins Marimar Estate as director of sales and marketing

Torres, who is daughter of Marimar Torres and member of the fifth generation of the family, announced she had joined the wine estate as its director of sales and marketing.

She will oversee the sale of wines in the American market. For the past three years she has worked in brand marketing at Jackson Family Wines and helped the establishment of International Wineries for Climate Action (ICWA), co-founded by Jackson and Familia Torres. She also spent time working for UK-based distributor Fells.

Matteo Lunelli elected president of Altagamma

Matteo Lunelli, president and CEO of sparkling wine producer Ferrari Trento, was elected president of Altagamma, a committee which is composed of leading Italian luxury brands, in January.

Due to inhabit the role from this year until 2022, Lunelli will lead the group which comprises companies in the drinks, fashion, design, jewellery, food, hospitality, automative and yacht industries.

Comprised of 110 brands, the range of products offered by members are valued at a combined €115 billion and contribute 6.85% to Italy’s GDP.

Lunelli has previously held the role of vice president of the food and wine division of Altagamma.

He was put forward for the role of overall president and unanimously elected on 13 December. He takes over from Andrea Illy, president of Illycaffé.

Andrew Turner appointed managing director of St Austell Brewery

Cornish brewer and pub operator, St Austell Brewery, announced the appointment of Andrew Turner to managing director of beer and brands in February.

Turner joins St Austell from Heineken UK where he held the role of trading director.

Kevin Georgel, chief executive of St Austell, said: “I am delighted that Andy will be joining St Austell Brewery. With almost 20 years’ experience and success gained within Heineken UK, he brings the ideal experience, talents and personality to compliment the skills of the existing team, and to lead our beer and brands division into its next exciting chapter.”

Andrew Turner added: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining St Austell Brewery – a wonderful family business which brews fantastic beers and runs great pubs, both of which are very close to my heart.

“It’s a really exciting time to join the business. I believe St Austell Brewery is very well placed to benefit from the resurgence in consumer interest in beer, coupled with the increasing importance of authenticity and community.

“I am very much looking forward to joining Kevin and the team and taking the business on to its next stage of growth.”

 Helena Zakmane and Felicity Gransden join vodka brand Moskovskaya

Helena Zakmane and Felicity Gransden have joined the Moskovskaya team as global brand director and global brand ambassador respectively.

Both women have previously worked at Pernod Ricard before joining brand owner Amber Beverage Group, whose mission is to grow Moskovskaya to a 1 million 9-litre case brand.

Helena Zakmane, global brand director, said: “Moskovskaya is a truly authentic brand with such strong heritage and history, I feel excited and honoured to take care of such a jewel, and be in charge of its future success.”

Felicity Gransden added: After working in the vodka category for three years, I am looking forward to drawing on Moskovskaya’s unique heritage to create interactive experiences for our consumers. Introducing them to the world of Moskovskaya and developing a new story which blends the old and the new.”

Peter Click named as vice-president of international sales at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates

Washington winery Ste Michelle named Peter Click as its new vice president of international sales in February.

Founder and CEO of the Click Wine Group until he sold it to The Winebow Group in 2008, Click will now represent Ste Michelle’s portfolio in more than 100 countries and manage a team of 10 worldwide.

He is taking over from Al Portney who recently retired after 25 years with the estate.

Alex Pollard named CFO of Quintessential Brands

Quintessential Brands appointed Pollard as its new group chief finance officer, shortly after boosting its UK team, as it looks to boost both domestic and international growth.

He joins the group from bakery and yeast ingredient company AB Mauri, a division of Associate British Foods, where he was CFO for three years.

Prior to this, he was at pharmaceutical/biotech company Gillead Sciences, where he set up and oversaw key European division. Other FMCG experience includes a role as regional finance director for the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company.

Pollard replaces Roger Lowe, who is leaving in April, after two years with the company.

Dave Smith announced as TOAD chairman

The Oxford Artisan Distillery (TOAD) announced the appointment of Dave Smith as full-time chairman in January.

Smith will be tasked with leading the company through its initial growth years and will be taking over from Neil Brown, who has stepped down as chair, but will remain on the distillery’s board.

Smith has held roles in brand marketing and sales and distribution within the drinks industry. He will initially focus on shareholder engagement, fundraising and driving forward the agreed company direction.

Managing director and co-founder Tagore Ramoutar commented: “We are very grateful for Neil Browns’ leadership and continuous commitment, and we warmly welcome Dave onboard. He is in a fantastic position to leverage his skill set and experience to drive the distillery’s growth forward, both in the UK, and internationally”.

Smith added: “I am delighted to be joining The Oxford Artisan Distillery and its great team at this exciting time, and looking forward to launching our English Rye Whiskey range in late 2020.”