Enotria appoints Phillip White as new CEO
Premium wines and spirits distributor Enotria has appointed Phillip White as its new CEO with immediate effect.
White replaces John Colley, who has held the role on an interim basis since September 2025 alongside his position as executive chairman and chief executive of Enotria’s parent company, Majestic Wine Group.
The appointment follows a recruitment process led by the Majestic Wine Group board and its owner, Fortress Investment Group.
White, who brings nearly 40 years of experience in the drinks and foodservice industries, will be responsible for delivering Enotria’s strategic plan, including strengthening its product portfolio, improving service standards and expanding its premium customer base across national accounts and the hospitality sector.
White said he was “delighted” to be joining Enotria at such an important point in the company’s development.
He added: “The opportunity is clear: combine a standout premium portfolio with consistently exceptional service and be the partner our customers rely on to help them thrive in today’s market.
“I am really looking forward to getting back into the wholesale on-trade sector, especially with a business as special as Enotria.”
Career history
His career has included senior roles at Whitbread, Brakes and Bacardi, where he spent almost 11 years, including periods as director of sales for on-trade retail and as country manager for the Republic of Ireland.
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White later joined foodservice distributor Brakes in 2013, holding a number of director-level positions over seven and a half years.
He then moved to Sysco Corporation, the world’s largest foodservice distributor, where he served as managing director of Kent Frozen Foods and later took responsibility for Medina Foodservice.
Most recently, White was chief executive of whisky producer Gordon & MacPhail. He stepped down from that role in 2025 after a year in post to relocate from Scotland to the south of England.
Next growth phase
Majestic Wine Group executive chairman and chief executive John Colley said: “I am really pleased to welcome Phillip to Enotria and to the wider Majestic family.
“Phillip has demonstrated what a brilliant operator he is throughout his career, and he brings with him a huge amount of experience and expertise across the on-trade, distribution, supply chain and logistics – all of which make him the perfect candidate to lead Enotria into its next phase of growth.
“We’re at the start of another important and transformational year for the Enotria business. We have already made solid progress over the past nine months, but I am really looking forward to working with Phillip and his team to accelerate that momentum and deliver on our exciting plans.”
White’s arrival comes as Enotria continues a turnaround programme following its acquisition by Majestic Wine Group nine months ago.
The company announced a strategic rebrand last September and, a month later, secured an exclusive UK distribution agreement with Argentinian winery Catena Zapata.
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