Accolade Wines is on the hunt for a new lead as a result of Robert Foye’s decision to leave the group, according to local reports.
Australia’s Financial Review said late yesterday that Foye has vacated the CEO position, although no details on where he is moving to were provided. According to the news outlet, Accolade employees were notified of the development by the company’s board.
Global Drinks Intel has contacted the group for confirmation and further information.
Foye started with Accolade in March 2020 as chief operating officer, a position he held for only two months before moving up to become CEO in the May. Prior to his time with the Banrock Station and Hardys brand owner, Foye spent four-and-a-half years with Treasury Wine Estates, almost two of which were as group COO.
During his tenure, Foye oversaw a change of ownership for Accolade, which is now under the control of a five-strong group of institutional investment companies, as well as the commencement and subsequent collapse – at Accolade’s behest – of merger negotiations with Australian Vintage. More recently, Accolade’s owners agreed to acquire a raft of wine brands, including Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo and Jacob’s Creek, from Pernod Ricard last month.
“With the Pernod Ricard Wines merger announced, Robert has decided that now is an appropriate time to focus on the next stage of his career and to relocate permanently back to Texas to spend more time with his family,” an internal email stated, according to Financial Review.
Accolade’s chair, Ben Clarke, will become executive chair from Monday (2 September) to “lead the business through the next phase of its evolution”, Financial Review cited.
