Accolade Wines has confirmed a change of leadership in Europe as current regional MD Caroline Thompson-Hill prepares her departure.
The private equity-held Hardys brand owner, which has made a raft of portfolio consolidation moves recently, has promoted chief supply chain officer Derek Nicol to head up its operations in the region. The move comes as Thompson-Hill has lined up a new role in the UK’s off-premise channel after just over four years with Accolade.
Like Thompson-Hill, Nicol’s career has included time with Treasury Wine Estates, from 2003 to 2013 and again from 2014 to late 2020 – with a year as global supply & demand lead at William Grant & Sons in between. Currently based in Melbourne, he will move to the UK in time to start as Europe MD at the start of February, when Thompson-Hill will leave the business.
Taking the supply chain lead from Nicol is current Australia & New Zealand supply chain & operations GM, and former Diageo executive, Joe Russo.
“Whilst we are sorry to see Caroline go, we wish her all the best for the future as she starts this new chapter in her career,” said group CEO Robert Foye. “In recent years, Accolade has cemented its leadership of the UK market and is making significant progress in the rest of Europe. We will continue this trajectory under the leadership of Derek and the existing leadership team.”
Accolade’s divestments this year have included Tasmania-based House of Arras, to Handpicked Wines, and Stone’s Original Ginger Wine.
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