New Aussie wine chief appointed

Published: 22 June, 2009

Andrew Cheesman has been named as the Australian Wine & Brandy Corporation's new chief executive.

Cheesman, who will take over from acting chief executive Jock Osborne, started his career as a chartered accountant.

He joined Petaluma as group accountant in 1998, becoming general manager in 2001. He was appointed winery operations director for the Lion Nathan Wine Group in 2004 and then served as strategy manager from 2006.

AWBC chairman John Moore said: "Andrew's appointment comes at a critical time for the Australian wine sector.

"As a highly experienced wine industry executive, Andrew has been tasked with forging closer links with the other wine sector organisations to provide coordinated strategic direction and leadership as the sector adjusts to a rapidly changing global wine environment."

He added: "The appointment of the new chief executive has taken longer than normal as, since the previous chief executive's departure, a new board has been appointed and a review of the structure of the national wine sector organisations has been undertaken.

"We are delighted to welcome an executive of Andrew's calibre."

Cheesman said: "I look forward to working closely with the new AWBC board and the other industry organisations, to provide leadership to our stakeholders as we implement a consistent and credible industry strategy."

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