Tesco appoints new wine buyer

Supermarket giant Tesco has added a new wine buyer to its team as its director for beers, wines and spirits, Dan Jago, remains suspended.

Catherine Friend has joined the team as an assistant buyer and will be responsible for the Fortified, Portuguese and wine-gift categories.

Friend joins Tesco by way of independent merchant Jarrold’s in Norwich where she was assistant buyer.

Nick Hood, who has worked for Tesco Wine by the Case for nearly three years, has been appointed quality manager for beers, wines and spirits and will report directly into Laura Jewell MW.

“Nick will be taking up a newly created position within the wine team. It’s a key role which will focus on ongoing quality improvement with a strong customer focus,” Jewell said.

UK & group wine category manager Alain Guilpain added: “We’re delighted to welcome Catherine as the newest member of our team.

“We have a fantastic group of people behind both buying and sourcing our wines, and as customers continue to look for great quality and value, we’re better placed than ever to deliver it.”

Director for beers, wines and spirits, Dan Jago was suspended from Tesco last month as part of an ongoing investigation into a £250 million overestimation of profits.