Enotria director of sales to lead Borough Wines’ wholesale business

UK independent wine merchant Borough Wines has appointed Enotria’s former director of sales to lead its rebranded wholesale business.

Kent Barker has joined the company as commercial director of the rebranded wholesale business, Borough Wine Imports, after seven years at Enotria, where he was responsible for the South of England team. He joined the business from Bibendum in 2007 where he was sales manager, after eight years working as a key account manager at Oddins.

He will head up the newly rebranded wholesale business, which brings together its two existing wholesale operations, Expression du Terroir, encompasses the gastro-pub, bar, venue and restaurants business, and its retail concessions, Borough Wine Corners. It is intended to better link the two operations, the company said.

Currently, the wholesale accounts for 15% of the overall business, but Barker is set to expand its customer base “significantly” over the next twelve months, focusing on boosting the number its wine keg system in the on-trade and independent retail sectors.

He said he had been very impressed by what Borough Wines has achieved in a retail capacity over the last few years and was confident that this could be mirrored in the wholesale business.

“It has become a major player on the high street in a very difficult climate and expanded into new markets without losing its sense of independence or alienating its core customer base,” he said.

“Not only do wholesale customers get access to the same fantastic range and technology, but also the commercial awareness and market insights that lie at the heart of the company’s success as a retailer.”

In changing the name of the wholesale business, we are highlighting the link between the two operations, which are distinct, yet share a common ethos and approach.”

Borough Wines founder and director Muriel Chatel admitted that the retail side had been the main focus, but she wanted to develop the company’s eccomerce capabilities and the wholesale business.

“Kent has a wealth of experience in the trade and a fantastic track record for managing successful teams and driving growth. We are confident that he’s the right person to steer Borough Wines Imports through this time of transition and we’re delighted to have him on board.”

The Borough Wine Corners were relaunched last Spring when the team partnered Italian wine keg specialist Vinicola Serena to relaunch its refill system. It is currently in 12 independent farm shops.