Conviviality confirms new leadership team appointments

By Angela Mount

Published: 30 November, 2016

Conviviality PLC recently held its first group conference and announced major changes to the structure of the business.

Diana Hunter, CEO, has restructured Conviviality's senior team, establishing a clear divide between business units. The business has been split into three trading sectors - Conviviality Direct, Conviviality trading, and Conviviality Retail.

Mark Aylwin has been appointed managing director, Conviviality Direct, responsible for on-trade business across all sectors, covering both Bibendum and Matthew Clark. Aylwin has previously held senior positions at Booker group PLC, Blueheath and Musgrave.

James Lousada, who held the position of CEO of Carlsberg UK for 2 years, and was previously general manager for Accolade Europe has been established for a few months in his role as managing director of Conviviality Trading, drawing together the company's brands.

These are: PLB, selling to supermarkets and specialist wine retailers; Walker & Wodehouse, focussing on Independent wine retailers and wholesalers; The Wondering Wine Company, a premium outdoor events operator, which is focussed on changing the way wine is served at sporting events; Peppermint, which delivers new drinks concepts and high quality bars at outdoor events and festivals; and Catalyst, a sector of the business which focusses on a new model of brand agency management across beers, wines and spirits, and includes J&B Whisky, VOSS water and Sauza Tequila.

Lousada is also responsible for Instil, a brand agency business, acting for brand owners to increase distribution of beer and spirits brands across all sectors, and Elastic, a marketing agency, which focusses on defining strategy and promotional campaigns for brand owners.

The retail side of the business is headed up by David Robinson, who has worked in the retail sector for over 20 years. He joined Conviviality in July 2016, from his previous position as Argos COO. As managing director of Conviviality Retail, he has resonsibility for Bargain Booze and Wine Rack.

Michael Saunders, who was co-founder and CEO of Bibendum PLB takes on the role of business development director. Meanwhile, Bibendum's Fiona Alder becomes group brand and insight director.

Printer friendly version