Fine wine merchant AWC appoints David Murphy operations manager

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 05 December, 2014

Fine wine and spirits merchant AWC has appointed David Murphy, formerly of Wine Networks and Liberty Wines, operations manager, as its business grows.

David Murphy David Murphy joins AWC’s senior team

AWC operates globally, with offices in Hong Kong and the Philippines. Murphy will take on responsibility for the diversity of the group's sales activity, which aside from its international offices, also includes online, en primeur, and trade between collectors.

The firm has been focused on driving the success of its Asian markets, and told Harpers.co.uk back in June that it expects Asian sales to grow from 40% to 55% of its business within the next two years. It grew by 23% between 2009 and 2013, said chief executive Stephen Williams.

Murphy said: "Establishing efficient operating systems is essential in order for a global company like AWC to function successfully and provide such excellent customer service, something it prides itself on. The company is growing exponentially, and with offices in Hong Kong and the Philippines it is crucial that our stock management systems are 100% accurate and fool-proof. My goal is to implement and embed systems that are simple, easy to understand, and crucially, have the foundations to allow AWC to grow."

AWC was founded over 25 years ago by current chief executive Stephen Williams - it supplies fine wine to private individuals, hotels, restaurants, and the global wine trade.

Originally known as Antique Wine Company, it focused on sourcing antique vintages. While this still forms part of what the group does, it now primarily focuses on contemporary vintages it describes as "capable of becoming the antiques of the future".

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