Hatch Mansfield CEO search begins as Ben Knollys steps down
Hatch Mansfield has announced changes to its senior leadership team, with Patrick McGrath MW set to become chairman and managing director Ben Knollys leaving the business after 24 years.
Hatch Mansfield has announced a planned evolution of its senior leadership structure, with founder Patrick McGrath MW set to transition to chairman after 32 years leading the business.
As part of the move, the UK wine distributor will consolidate the responsibilities of its CEO and managing director into a single chief executive role. A search for a new CEO will now begin.
Managing director Ben Knollys has decided to leave the business on 1 October 2026 after considering the leadership changes. Hatch Mansfield said Knollys felt the transition represented “the right moment for him to step aside and pursue fresh challenges beyond Hatch Mansfield within the drinks industry”.
Leadership transition
McGrath, who founded Hatch Mansfield in 1994, paid tribute to Knollys’ contribution to the business.
“Ben has been a highly valued colleague, leader and friend to many across the business. He has played such an important part in the development and success of the business and we thank him enormously for his dedication and wish him every success in the future.”
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Knollys joined Hatch Mansfield in October 2002 following roles at The International Wine Challenge, Berkmann, Lea & Sandeman and Fuller’s.
During his time at the company, he held a number of sales positions, completed his MBA in 2009, became sales director in 2012 and joined the board in 2017. He was appointed managing director in 2021.
Reflecting on his decision, Knollys said: “After 24 years, with a natural fork in the road, the time feels right for me to take on a new challenge. I am enormously proud of what we have built together at Hatch Mansfield and I leave with great affection for the business and want to take this opportunity to thank from the bottom of my heart our wonderful colleagues, supplier partners and customers who have made it such an enjoyable journey. I have reflected deeply on my decision to leave, not an easy one as Hatch Mansfield courses through my veins, but I am genuinely excited about what lies ahead for me in the UK drinks trade.”
CEO search
Hatch Mansfield said the process to appoint a new CEO will now begin, with a further announcement to be made in due course.
Established in 1994, Hatch Mansfield is an independent UK wine agency representing a portfolio of premium wine producers across the UK trade, including Champagne Taittinger, CVNE, Errazuriz, Gaja, Louis Jadot, M. CHAPOUTIER, Villa Maria and Zuccardi.
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