Gusbourne appoints new CEO

English sparkling wine producer Gusbourne has announced that marketing director Jonathan White has been appointed as CEO of the firm. 

The statement from the producer highlighted that the promotion had been made “following a rigorous internal and external search process” and that it was “delighted to have promoted internally”. It follows former CEO Charlie Holland standing down as CEO last summer, when he joined Jackson Family Wines as the Californian-headquartered firm continued to develop its interest in the English wine industry.

White has worked with Gusbourne since 2018 where he was head of marketing and then most recently marketing director, leading the global expansion of the Gusbourne brand and establishing a cellar door and direct-to-consumer sales channel.

Prior to working at Gusbourne, White worked at independent wine distributor Armit Wines for a short period and also at merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd, where he spent more than eight years progressing from a marketing executive to its head of marketing in 2015.

Leadership team

In addition to the appointment of White, the company has re-organised responsibilities across its main leadership team with global sales director Simon Bradbury becoming chief commercial officer and Katherine Berry taking on the role of group chief financial officer.

Bradbury will be responsible for the direct-to-consumer sales alongside his current responsibility for trade, corporate and international sales. Berry will take responsibility for vineyard and wine operations alongside her current remit covering finance, HR and IT.

White and Bradbury will join the board as executive directors following completion of regulatory due diligence. Interim chief executive officer Mike Paul, who has been in the post for the past five months since Holland’s departure, will resume his role as non-executive director.

Results

Last year, Gusbourne revealed in its full year results for 2022 that its net revenue had leapt by 49%, heralding the 2022 vintage as “one of the best in 20 years”.

In order to cater for market growth, it also said at the time that  plans to increase its planted area to 152 hectares by 2025, which will expand the scale of its production and future sales potential.

Speaking about the latest news, Jim Ormonde, chairman of Gusbourne, said: “The Board are delighted to appoint Jonathan as CEO. In the five and a half years he has worked at Gusbourne, he has shown real passion and commitment to building the Gusbourne brand into one of the UK’s most prestigious wine brands. He brings an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the business along with great leadership qualities and significant wine industry experience.

“The Board would like to thank Mike Paul for his wise counsel as Interim CEO and supporting the ongoing strategic progress of the Company.”