Bibendum PLB appoints new buyer

Jascots’ former head buyer Alastair Pyatt is to join the buying team of the Bibendum PLB Group this September.

Joining the group’s buying team, which is responsible for sourcing wines for the group’s three trading companies – Bibendum, PLB and Walker & Wodehouse – Pyatt will be responsible for France.

Pyatt joined Jascots in 2011 after a brief stint in hospitality, three years in retail and period working at Kilikanoon Wines in Clare Valley. He was made head buyer in February 2015 and is said to have “persuaded” the chancellor, George Osborne, to freeze the duty on wine following a chance meeting on the tube ahead of this year budget.

He recently passed the first year MW examination and will report to Bibendum PLB’s buying director, Andrew Shaw.

Shaw commented: “We are thrilled to have Alastair on the team.  He’s a great fit for Bibendum PLB and no doubt we will benefit enormously from his experience, talent and passion.  France is of course, a hugely important and successful region for us, so it was very important we found someone who could take this challenge in their stride, as well as having the knowledge and enthusiasm required to join our dynamic team.”