Wine Society announces new chief executive

Robin McMillan has been named as the new chief executive of The Wine Society.

McMillan joins the mail order company from Berry Bros & Rudd where he was chief operating officer and a member of the board.

Having started at BBR in 1994, he has covered a number of roles dealing with sales, operations, retail, customer service, international business development and logistics.

Sarah Evans, chairman of The Wine Society, said: “Robin will bring a fresh approach and new ideas. His extensive experience of the wine industry is a real bonus.

“But with a tough economic environment and fierce competition, there is much to do to ensure that The Society remains at the forefront of the industry and continues to supply members with high quality, good value wines.”

McMillan added: “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to have worked for BBR and I now consider myself equally fortunate to be joining another great organisation such as The Wine Society. The mutual model demands an overriding focus on members and service rather than profits and growth and is almost unique in the wine trade making it a very attractive prospect with, I believe, great further potential.

“I am tremendously excited at the prospect of working with the committee, executive team and all of The Wine Society staff to ensure that we provide and enhance services that are relevant to members whilst continuing to offer outstanding value for money.”

McMillan replaces former CEO Oliver Johnson, who left The Wine Society at the end of August 2011.