Ex Codorníu boss Nick Mantella moves to United Wineries

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 24 June, 2014

Nick Mantella, former Codorníu boss, has taken a new role as business development director at United Wineries.

Mantella left Codorníu in May after 12 years at the firm, and had been managing director since 2010. He takes up his new position this week.

The role will involve developing Spain and United Wineries' brands, which include wines predominantly from Spain, but also Italy and Argentina. Lagunilla, Marqués de la Concordia and Berberana, as well Marqués de Monistrol cava and Italy's Canaletto are all part of its portfolio.

Ex Codorniu boss Nick Mantella is new business development director at United Wineries Nick Mantella is now business development director at United WineriesNick Mantella, who left Codorniu in May, starts his new role as business development director at United Wineries this week.

"I will initially be doing quite a lot of UK work, before looking beyond. I'll be helping look after UK customers and making sure we're taking our wines in the right direction, to the right customers and the right channels," Mantella told Harpers.co.uk.

Mantella said: "It will be an interesting job. I will use the skills and knowledge I've already got and build on that."

He added that while he had not necessarily been looking for a role with a Spanish company, he had been seeking one with a brand owner and producer rather than an agency.

United Wineries, a Spanish company based in the Rioja region, controls its exports through its London subsidiary, headed by chief executive Richard Macadam. The firm set up United Wineries Ltd in 2001, covering the United Kingdom & Ireland. It acquired the minority stake (49%) then held by IWS - Waverley Group in the joint venture company Bodegas Unidas Ltd and moved its headquarters to central London. The UK market is the group's biggest off-trade market globally.

Codorníu is still in the process of recruiting a new managing director, and told Harpers.co.uk recently that Mantella's departure came about as both parties "decided it was time to explore new opportunities". David Losantos, European commercial director, is managing the UK market for the firm until a new director is appointed.

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