Jeremy Rockett leaves González Byass GB after 10 years

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 30 July, 2014

González Byass GB marketing director Jeremy Rockett has left the business after 10 years of service.

Rockett was instrumental in setting up the González Byass business in the UK, and building the agency side of the firm, alongside managing director Martin Skelton.

Prior to working at González Byass, Rockett spent three years as category marketer for grocery and events at Marks & Spencer. Before that he was employed by William Grant owned First Drinks Brands as marketing manager for five years.

Jeremy Rockett Jeremy Rockett leaves Gonzales ByassGonzalez Byass marketing director Jeremy Rockett has laft the business after 10 years of service.

Rockett told Harpers.co.uk: "I wish González Byass GB every success."

He is now looking for a "very entrepreneurial" position, either within the drinks trade or a related industry, and is considering general manager roles as the next logical step.

Managing director of González Byass GB, Martin Skelton, told Harpers.co.uk: "We worked with Jeremy for a long time and he was also our brand manager at First Drinks. He's seen a lot of good changes within the business.

"He served as marketing director for 10 good years and helped me set up the business back in 2004. He made a major contribution to the establishment of the company."

González Byass has changed in the last 10 years from being a distributor of its own wine and sherry brands from Spain, especially Tío Pepe, to being a supplier of wines from around the world, including New Zealand's Jackson Estate, Matarromera (Ribera del Duero), Fillaboa (Rias Biaxas), Undurraga (Chile), Wirra Wirra (McLaren Vale), Quinta do Noval (Port) and the grande marque Champagne Deutz.

Back in March sales director Melissa Draycott told Harpers.co.uk that sales of the group's Spanish wines have been growing strongly in the past four years, up 52% since 2010. Particular success has been had by wines from Beronia (+150%) and Viñas del Vero (+400%) together with Secastilla old vine Garnacha - and Blecua, which are favourites in fine dining restaurants.

Also speaking in March, Rockett said the firm had grown rapidly in the UK on-trade since taking on distribution for Champagne Deutz at the end of 2013. It grew its on-trade and independent sales team from two to six and Rockett said Deutz was "opening doors" for the other sherries, ports and wines in its portfolio.

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