Majestic appoints former Direct Wines boss to board

Majestic Wines has named former Direct Wines CEO Greg Hodder as a new non-executive director, its second major appointment in a week.

Former Direct Wines boss Greg Hodder has been appointed as a non-executive director of Majestic

Hodder, who has been CEO of Charles Tyrwhitt Shirts since 2008, previously headed up Direct Wines for 14 years, and was credited with taking the business from £15m to £250m. He was responsible for Laithwaites, the Sunday Times Wine Club, Avery’s and Warehouse Wines. Prior to this he worked at for home designer Smallbone USA and specialist publisher, the Folio Society.

Majestic’s chief executive Rowan Gormley said Hodder’s extensive experience in both the retail and wine sectors, particularly in multi-channel retailing and e-commerce, would support the board as the company moved to the next stage of its strategic development.

“We are delighted to have secured such an experienced and highly-recommended appointment to the Board. Greg’s past experience will provide us with additional high-level strategic and operational support as we grow the business,” he said.

Last week the specialist retailer unveiled former B&Q marketing boss John Colley as the new MD of its wine retail business, who will oversee Majestic’s 211 UK stores and the its wine warehouse in Calais.

In April, Majestic surprised the industry when it acquired Naked Wines for £70m and appointed Naked’s founder Gormley as CEO. It has since launched its first own label wine brand, and rolled out a Naked Wines’ click and collect service in all of its stores to cutting delivery costs.