Rob Symington joins Berry Bros. & Rudd as UK MD
Fine wine merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd has appointed Rob Symington as its UK managing director from September. He will step down from his role as co-CEO of Symington Family Estates.
Symington will join the business from September, stepping down from his role as co-CEO of Symington Family Estates, the Portugal-based business led by the Symington family for five generations.
In his current role Symington leads the sales and marketing of the firm’s portfolio of Port and wine brands.
He will maintain his position on the Symington Family Estates board as a non-executive director. Symington will remain as board chair at Hambledon Wine Estate and a non-executive director at Fells, a majority Symington Family Estates-owned UK fine wine importer.
In his new role with Berry Bros.& Rudd, Symington will take responsibility for sales, customer strategy and marketing. Based in London, he will report directly to CEO Emma Fox.
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The fine wine merchant has worked closely with Symington Family Estates for a number of years, having purchased English wine producer Hambledon Wine Estate in a 50:50 joint acquisition.
Fox said of the new hire: “I have known Rob for a number of years, having worked together on projects such as our acquisition of Hambledon Wine Estate. Rob is a creative and strategic leader and he’ll be a fantastic addition to our business.”
Symington joins the team at Berry Bros. & Rudd following news in June that the business will be launching in the US later this year. Jamie Ritchie takes on the role of managing director, international and auctions.
“This appointment shows our commitment to strengthening our leadership team with exceptional people to help our business grow and to meet our future ambitions,” Fox added.
Symington said of his new position: “I have huge admiration for Berry Bros. & Rudd – a family business which combines the best of British heritage with a thoroughly modern and dynamic outlook. I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the team.”
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