Signaling a strong commitment to further developing its European trade business, Beringer Blass Wine Estates (Beringer Blass) announced today that it has appointed John Philips to the newly-created position of Managing Director, Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMA). Philips, who came from the GuinnessUDV Wine Group where he was President, will report to Walt Klenz, Managing Director of Beringer Blass' global wine business.
"We are very pleased to have John join Beringer Blass in this pivotal new role," commented Klenz. "His depth of experience in the international wine and spirits arena will accelerate the development of our trade business in the EMA region, particularly Europe, and be an invaluable complement to the solid management team already in place there. John's appointment is consistent with our strategy of establishing strong geographic bases from which we can drive our trade business forward throughout the world."
As Managing Director, EMA, Philips will have responsibility for all of Beringer Blass's EMA trade business. He will also oversee all trade winery operations in Europe, including Castello di Gabbiano in Italy, which Beringer Blass acquired in 2000. Reporting to Philips will be John Shortt, Managing Director, Northern Europe, Dick Wallingford, Managing Director, Central Europe, and Ivano Reali, Managing Director, Castello di Gabbiano. Philips will be based in London.
As President of Diageo's GuinessUDV Wine Group, Philips was responsible for the group's wine business worldwide, overseeing operations in North America, Europe and South America. Having joined United Distillers PLC in 1989, Philips progressed through a number of positions in the U.K. and South America, including Managing Director-Colombia/Venezuela Hub during the Guinness/Grand Metropolitan merger.
A 17-year veteran of the wine and spirits industry, Philips spent three years with E&J Gallo winery gaining international sales and marketing experience in both Europe and Asia Pacific.
Further information:
Media
Europe:
Nicole Devlin
Tel: 44-208-744-2999
North America:
Mora Cronin
Tel: 1-707-963-7115
Asia Pacific:
Rell Hannah
Tel: 61-3-8626-3307 or 61-419-369-075
Analysts:
Michael Roberts
Tel: 61-3-9633-2273
Beringer Blass - http://www.beringerblass.com/
Beringer Blass Wine Estates is the world's leading premium table wine group, with exceptional market depth across the key growth markets of Australia, North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Beringer Blass ranks among the leading global wine companies by earnings and is unique in pursuing a multiple-channel global growth strategy. Its three channels encompass trade sales, consumer-direct sales and wine-related services. The business represents 60% of the assets of Australian-listed premium beverage company Foster's Group.
