NICHOLS REJOINS ODDBINS AS SENIOR BUYER

Published: 23 July, 2008

Oddbins' two-month search for a replacement for Grant Ramage and Tony Allen on its buying team is over, with the Wimbledon-based chain turning to former employee Emma Nichols. Nichols, who was most recently marketing manager at Vinoceros, will take over as senior buyer with responsibility for Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Greece, sparkling and fortified wine. She will join James Forbes and head buyer Lynne Coyle in the three-strong buying team. Nichols started her career in the wine trade with Oddbins in 1990, and was a key member of the retailer's award-winning buying team until her departure to Safeway in 2001. At Safeway she earned plaudits for rejuvenating the company's Italian range, and she also had responsibility for the US and Eastern Europe. At Vinoceros, she was in charge of new product development, working on projects in Australia, Chile, South Africa and Argentina. When I left Oddbins it was with the intention of expanding my skills and experience of the industry,' Nichols told Harpers. I feel that I have been able to do this, and have gained a lot from the roles I have done in the past three years. However, I was delighted when this opportunity arose, as I have always considered myself a buyer at heart, and still believe that Oddbins is the most exciting wine retailer in the country - making it the most exciting company to buy wine for too. I have the luxury of coming back to a role that I understand, but which also brings the exciting challenges of new people, new management and a renewed commitment to bring the best wines possible to the British high street.' Her appointment is a much-needed fillip for the retailer, which had been the subject of intense speculation and criticism in the wake of the exits of Ramage, Allen and two other senior employees - PR manager Corrina Thompson and supply chain manager Julian Lever in September. Nichols starts immediately.

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