Tesco appoints MW amid wine team shake up

Tesco has confirmed that James Davis MW is to join its BWS team amid a shake up that will see the departure of a number of “well-known” faces.

James Davis MW

James, who passed the Master of Wine exam in 2013, will take up the role of category buying manager for wine when he starts at Tesco in May. Davis is currently senior wine buyer at Greene King, a position he has held for the past seven years. His new position will see him heading up the wine buying team and reporting to Gavin Warburton, UK category director for beers, wine and spirits.

Davis follows in the footsteps of fellow MW Laura Jewell, who left Tesco in November to take up the position of regional director for the UK at Wine Australia.

“James’ broad experience will bring valued skills to the wine team”, said Gavin. “We look forward to welcoming him and working together to continue to bring excitement, quality and value for money to our customers in the wine aisle.”

Meanwhile, Dan Jago was recently appointed to the newly created role of category director group wine in February following his temporary suspension amid a financial probe into a £263m “black hole” in the supermarket’s finances. The Serious Fraud Office had been investigating claims that the UK supermarket had produced purposefully misleading financial reports, which advanced the company’s credits and held off expenses leading to a £263 million “black hole” in its accounts. Its findings are yet to be made public.

Other category manager positions have been confirmed with David Coulshed appointed buying manager for spirits and Pete Bexton for beer, while Chris Gee has taken on the role of category format manager. As part of the team re-structure, Tesco confirmed that a number of “well-known faces” would be leaving the business.

Those leaving include Lucy Clements, wine product development manager, James Griswood, wine product development manager, and Alain Guilpain, UK and group wine category manager.

Graham Nash, wine product development manager, and Charlotte Lemoine, wine product development manager, will remain at the supermarket.

Warburton added: “We have had to make a number of changes to the team over the last few months so I would like to thank everyone in the BWS team, both those staying on at Tesco, and outgoing members, for all the hard work and professionalism they have shown throughout this time.”