Symington Family Estates chair Johnny Symington is set to retire at the end of February and will pass the baton to his cousin, Rupert Symington.
The Portugal-based, family-run business said Charles Symington and Rob Symington will become co-CEOs, as Rupert prepares his move. Johnny Symington will leave his role at the Graham’s and Cockburn’s port brands owner after 40 years at the company.
The firm added this week that Charles Symington will oversee all the family’s wine production while Rob will take charge of the commercial area along with wine tourism, people & culture and sustainability.
“The past 40 years have been a time of incredible progress, innovation and growth,” said Johnny Symington (below). “Our company has gone through several total transformations over the last few decades, which has enabled us to become more relevant and successful in a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive market.”
Johnny initially became assumed the chair at Symington Family Estates in 2019, following the retirement of his cousin, Paul. He joined the company in 1985 and was appointed commercial director until 1994, when he was appointed joint MD.
“I’m certain that our longstanding legacy and reputation for quality and reliability will continue,” Johnny added. “We will maintain our ability to adapt to a world that may well change as much in the next 40 years as it has in the last 40.”
Back in 2023, Symington Family Estates and Berry Bros & Rudd acquired UK-based Hambledon Vineyard for around GBP22.3m [US$27.5m], claiming at the time that the business was “the first commercial English vineyard of the modern era”.
