Top people moves: June

Moët Hennessy appoints UK managing director

Moët Hennessy UK appointed Alexei Rosin as the new managing director for the UK and Ireland last month, as former UK manager Bertrand Steip takes up a new role for the company in Paris.

With over 25 years of experience within the industry, Alexei will manage the Moët Hennessy portfolio in charge of brands including Dom Pérignon, Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot and Hennessy.

As MD of the UK and Ireland, he will lead the third largest market in the world for premium wines and spirits.

Since joining Moët Hennessy in 1999, Alexei has worked in operational and strategic roles across the US and key European markets, most recently as managing director of Central & Eastern Europe.

Prior to this Alexei worked as commercial director for Europe, senior vice president national on-premise USA and sales director on-premise in the UK.

Ade McKeon steps down from top job at accolade

Ade McKeon, Accolade Wines’ managing director for Europe, has stepped down from his position in May, after three years in the role.

McKeon, who joined the company in 2017, was promoted to his current position in June 2019. Accolade has declined to reveal McKeon’s replacement, because the chosen person is still working in their current role elsewhere. The new hire will start their role in August.

Accolade said that the new appointment “will enable the company to take advantage of significant growth opportunities in its biggest market”.

McKeon boasts a wealth of drinks and retail industry experience, having spent four years at Asda, starting as category director for beer, wines and spirits, and progressing to hold roles including commercial director for grocery and Asda brand director. He also spent three years as CEO of Cobra Beer and two years as UK and Ireland managing director of Beam Global (now Beam Suntory).

Robert Foye, Accolade’s chief operating officer, thanked McKeon for “his dedication and commitment to the company and the results achieved over the past four years, including leading the successful integration of the UK and European operations in 2019”.

Foye himself has only recently joined the company, having abruptly left Treasury Wine Estates in early 2019.

Wines of Argentina appoints new president

Industry body Wines of Argentina appointed Maximiliano Hernández Toso as its new president last month. Hernández Toso will serve a two year term as president, supported by Guillermo Barzi, who continues as vice president of the institution.

The industrial engineer from the Universidad Nacional de Cuyo was appointed during a Ordinary General Assemby of Wines of Argentina yesterday, held over video-conference.

He takes over from outgoing president Alberto Arizu.

Hernández Toso is the co-founder and director of WHT Partners, an Argentine venture group which invests in high-end wine and owns Riglos and Huarpe wineries. He has been on Wines of Argentina’s board of directors since 2015, previously occupying the role of treasurer.

He has an MBA from IDEA and the London Business School and a Masters in public policy from Carnegie Mellon University, where he studied as a Fulbright fellow.

He has taught and directed the wine management programme at ADEN Business School and has also spent time working as a private and independent consultant to entrepreneurs, investors and multi-lateral organisations.

Commenting on his new role, Hernández Toso said: “It is a privilege for me to lead this institution, which I respect and admire for the great work it has done since its inception. We have many challenges ahead, but also great opportunities to innovate and continue bringing Vino Argentino closer to the world, and raising the perception of Argentina as a modern winemaking country thanks to the enormous wealth and diversity of our terroirs.”

Majestic makes staff changes in key roles

Specialist UK wine retailer Majestic made a number of key personnel changes in May. Chief commercial officer Robert Cooke (pictured) will now run Majestic Commercial, the retailer’s trade division, alongside overseeing Majestic’s trading proposition and buying teams.

Olivia Fitzgerald, who formerly led the commercial division, has left the business. Matthew Gaunt has been appointed interim customer director, taking on responsibility for marketing and customer management.

In other changes, John Storm has been made head of buying. Storm joins Majestic from Marks & Spencer, where he led the beer, wine and spirits trading team. Before that had spent many years with Tesco in a series of senior commercial and buying roles within the company.

Deborah Ormondroyd has become the new regional manager for London. Most recently at Cath Kidston, where she was the regional manager for south and Europe, Ormondroyd has spent her career in specialist retailers.

John Colley, CEO of Majestic, said: “The recent additions to our team show a clear pathway and investment in the future of Majestic. They join alongside a series of key internal promotions too, something that Majestic has a long tradition of. Right now our focus is on navigating the difficulties presented by the coronavirus outbreak. I would personally like to thank Olivia Fitzgerald for her hard work, passion and positivity over the last few years.”

Drinks.com appoints vice-president of operations

Hans Holmer, who has spent the last 27 years working for Walmart, and is a former captain in the United States Army Corps of Engineers, has been appointed the vice-president of operations for Drinks.com, a forward-thinking online wine-marketing service.

Zac Brandenberg, Drinks co-founder and CEO, commented: “Since our founding in 2013, Drinks has become the industry leader in the digital transformation of the wine industry starting with our DTC brand Wine Insiders and expanding to our WaaS platform for retailer. Hans brings extensive experience and best in class talent to our team, in support of our rapidly scaling consumer marketplace and retailer partnerships.”

Hans Holmer added: “At a time when the retail landscape is undergoing immense change, no company is better prepared to handle the increased demand for convenient adult beverage options. I’m thrilled to join one of the most dynamic companies in the industry and dive into a rapidly changing product category.”

Doña Paula names new director of viticulture and winemaking

Martín Kaiser has been named the director of viticulture and winemaking at Argentina’s Doña Paula, reporting into the viniviticulture director of the Santa Rita Estates group.

Commenting on the role, which he started in May, he said: “I am very happy with this new professional challenge, which reinforces the work we have done for 14 years in Doña Paula and has been, without doubt, a great school for all who have been fortunate to be part of it.”

Kasier, assisted by Andrea Tansini, has taken over the winemaking element of the role from Marcos Fernandez, who left Doña Paula earlier this year.

Château Ksara names new UK brand ambassador

Rachel Davey has been appointed as the UK brand ambassador to Lebanon’s Château Ksara. Davey, who has been a PR consultant in the drinks industry since 2006, has been working with the Lebanese winery since 2017.

Davey said: “With this new appointment, I can really roll up my sleeves and work closely with the owners and Berkmann Wine Cellars to reach their potential in what is arguably the most exciting wine trade in the world. Château Ksara is Lebanon’s oldest winery with an exciting range of wines. Lebanese wine is on the move and Chateau Ksara is certainly at the forefront of that charge.”

Alex Hunt MW, purchasing director of Berkmann, the winery’s UK distributor, added: “We very much look forward to working with Rachel in developingChâteau Ksara within our market. Our launch plans having been somewhat interrupted by current events but our conviction in the potential of Chateau Ksara and this new partnership remains undiluted, and it will be full steam ahead once the trade begins to reopen.”

Armit appoints new head of the off-trade

Fraser Currie has been appointed as the new head of the off-trade for wine merchant Armit Wines. Currie will report to managing director Brett Fleming, and will cover the regional channels and all retail within the UK. He has previously held roles at Direct Wines, William Grant & Sons and Accolade.

Currie commented: “The opportunity to join Armit Wines at this time is, without doubt, a rare chance and I look forward to advancing this agenda in the years to come.”

Brett Fleming, managing director of Armit Wines added: “To gain the services of someone of Fraser’s calibre is precisely the level of professionalism we have been looking for. This is a critical appointment for us as we look to challenge the off-trade norm and be seen as a major player in this channel.

“Our investment will not stop with this appointment as we continue to look at opportunities in the current challenging environment. Despite the best efforts of Covid-19, this appointment and others to come will ensure Armit Wines is able to meet our supplier’s expectations as well as delivering our customer’s requirements.”