Julian Momen to retire as Enotria & Coe CEO

He will serve as CEO until 30 September, before Majestic Wine Group CEO John Colley steps into the role on an interim basis, as the company searches for a replacement.

Enotria & Coe CEO Julian Momen will retire and step down from his role later this year, after the premium wine and spirits producer was successfully acquired by Majestic Wine Group in April.

Momen will continue to serve as CEO until 30 September, and will stay with the business in an advisory role until early 2026.

Enotria & Coe owner, Majestic Wine Group, has begun to look for Momen’s replacement, and expects to make an appointment in the new year.

‘Exciting’ works ahead

John Colley, executive chairman of Majestic Wine Group and CEO of Majestic, will take on the role of Enotria & Coe CEO on an interim basis.

Commenting on the change, he said: “It has been a pleasure to work so closely with Julian throughout the last few months and I know he is as excited as I am about the growth opportunities Enotria & Coe has as part of the Majestic Wine Group. 

“While I am disappointed that Julian will not be with us to deliver on some of those opportunities, I fully respect his decision to hand over the reins to a new CEO to lead Enotria & Coe through this new phase in its history. Julian leaves with the best wishes of everyone at Majestic Wine Group for a long and happy retirement.”

‘Important decision’

Colley said he was looking forward to taking on the role as interim CEO over the coming months. “This is an important decision for the group, and we will take time to ensure we select the right candidate for the job,” he said.

Majestic’s COO, Elizabeth Newman, is also set to take on additional responsibility as interim managing director of Majestic Retail, supporting Colley in leading the business through the Christmas trading period.

Momen joined the premium wines and Enotria & Coe as COO in August 2023, following stints with Diageo and Carlsberg, and was promoted to CEO in October 2023.

In April 2025, the company was acquired by Majestic, with the group flagging potential to grow the Enotria & Coe business alongside its existing B2B specialist arm, Majestic Commercial.

Passing the baton

Momen said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as the CEO of Enotria & Coe for the past two years. This is an incredible business with a brilliant team, an unparalleled network of world-class agency partners and a premium customer base — all of which are the envy of wine and spirits distributors across the UK.

“I am delighted that we have found a new home as part of the Majestic Wine Group and, whilst I am super excited about what the future holds for Enotria & Coe, now is the right time for me to hand over the reins to a new CEO to drive the next phase of our growth plan. 

“My huge thanks go out to everyone who has supported Enotria&Coe throughout the last 52 years — because of your commitment and loyalty, our future is now even brighter as part of the Majestic family. The business is already getting back to its brilliant best and I am looking forward to seeing how John and his team continue that progress in the coming years.” 

Business history

Founded in 1972 by Remo Nardone as Enotria Wines, Enotria & Coe has grown into one of the most respected distributors of premium wines and spirits in the country. With over 300 producers in its portfolio — including more than 200 on exclusive agency terms — it counts Gaucho, Rick Stein, Hotel du Vin/Malmaison, Bancone and L’Enclume among its blue-chip hospitality clients.

The company has grown consistently over the past two decades, through acquisitions such as Wheeler Cellars (2008), Great Western Wine (2010, now trading as The Great Wine Co) and Coe Vintners (2015).

Majestic’s acquisition is expected to bolster its presence in the on-trade, a segment where its commercial division has already recorded double-digit growth for three consecutive years. The addition of Enotria & Coe’s premium-focused offer is intended to strengthen both capability and proposition — creating what Majestic calls a “best-in-class, differentiated service and product proposition”.

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