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Wine Australia confirms Tesco's Laura Jewell as its new head of UK and Europe

Laura Jewell MWLaura Jewell MW

Jewell will leave her role as head of wine development at Tesco and join Wine Australia on February 23, 2015. 

Andreas Clark, acting chief executive officer of the Australian Grape and Wine Authority (AGWA) confirmed the announcement in a statement this afternoon. He said: "Laura is well-known and highly regarded by her peers in the wine trade community. The UK remains our largest export market and Laura will be a strong advocate for Australian wine, leading our team in London and driving efforts to maintain our market share and remain competitive. This appointment is fantastic news for Australian wine."

Jewell said: "I've dedicated my career to wine and worked across many different parts of the value chain. I've always found Australian wine to be of consistently high quality and the diversity of Australia's 65 wine regions is an incredibly exciting story to tell.

She added: "I can't wait to get started and work with Australian wine brands and exporters on a calendar of innovative events and initiatives for local trade and consumers that builds on the solid reputation that Australian wine already has in the UK and European markets."

Jewell is leaving Tesco at a difficult time as it follows the ongoing suspension of Dan Jago, its head of beers, wines and siriits, as a result of the inquiry into the overstatement of profits at the UK's number one retailer.

Wine Australia

She is currently in charge of category product development at the chain and oversees its wine portfolio in 11 markets. Her departure will raise the stakes at Tesco to put in place in a new management structure to take its wine department forward in light of Jago's suspension and Jewell leaving the business to take on her new role.

Wine Australia has confirmed Jewell's appointment follows Stuart Barclay joining as general manager of market development.