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News
Melissa Draycott named MD of González Byass UK
Melissa Draycott has been appointed managing director of González Byass UK, and will take over from current MD, Martin Skelton, on 1 September.
Having worked as managing director for the last 16 years, Skelton is moving to Mexico to take on the role of CEO at Casa Pedro Domecq, a joint venture between González Byass and Emperador.
Prior to joining González Byass UK, Draycott, a WSET diploma graduate, worked for Sainsbury’s for 20 years, starting on the shop floor as beers, wines and spirits manager, then progressing to the role of senior spirits buyer and subsequently senior wine buyer for the supermarket.
Draycott was made a member of the Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino for her contribution to promoting and championing Spanish wines in the UK. She’s also a member of the Champagne Academy and a Freeman of the City of London.
“I thought I already had the best job in the wine trade, but I am honoured to take over as MD leading our talented UK team, and continuing to represent our outstanding winemakers and wines from around the world,” Draycott said.
GB UK’s group CEO, Jorge Grosse, said he was “delighted” that the post had been filled from within the company, “ensuring a smooth transition and continuation of the excellent performance of the UK business”.
“It has been a pleasure to see Melissa and the team grow sales and distribution over her 11 years in the company. She has developed a multichannel wine and spirits business in the UK and will now go on to lead the competent and enthusiastic team of 25,” Skelton added.
Founded in 2004, González Byass UK is a premium wine distribution company working with retail and the premium on-trade across the UK.
Among the it represents are: Bodegas Beronia (Rioja and Rueda), Cavas Vilarnau (Barcelona), Finca Constancia (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla), Finca Moncloa (Vino de la Tierra de Cádiz), Viñas del Vero (Somontano), Pazo de Lusco (Rías Baixas), Dominio Fournier (Ribera del Duero) and Viñedos Veramonte (Casablanca and Apalta, Chile).
González Byass UK also represents and distributes a range of brands from other premium producers around the world such as Quinta do Noval, Deutz, Domaine Zind Humbrecht, Jackson Estate, Wirra Novel, Disznoko and Domane Wachau.