Bancroft wines restructures and strengthens the team as profits rise 10%

By Arabella Mileham

Published: 31 March, 2015

Bancroft Wines is restructuring to create four wine divisions dedicated to its key sales channels.

The four new divisions will comprise an on-trade team for London targeting the mid to premium on tradel; an off-trade division for the specialist independent off-trade, as well as regional on-trade and travel/leisure; a fine wine division; and an Agency division for the national on and off-trade. It is also bringing sister company Export Iberia under the new Agency division.

MD Neil McAndrew said the new, more clearly defined segmentation would allow Bancroft to pursue growth more aggressively and enable it to better serve its customers.

"While the business has grown significantly over the last three years, the model of 'one hat fits all' is not scalable in the highly competitive UK market place and the different sectors within it increasingly require a more bespoke offering," he said.

As part of the move, the company is bolstering its teams. Johnny Paterson from the London trade sales team will move to the regional team and Shane Fazackerely, who was previously part of Export Iberia, has been appointed as a designated national account manager in the national sales team. Two new sales people will be appointed to the London on-trade team as well as a new member of the rapidly growing fine wine division and support for the finance role.

Bancroft Wines saw a strong performance last year Bancroft Wines saw a strong performance last year

Claire Scott-Gall has returned to the business as Marketing Manager, and Sophie McLean has been appointed to the new role of brand manager. It has also appointed Emanuela Carosso to support the fine wine team, and James Wainscott will move from over to support the trade sales team.

The London-based business returned to profit in 2014 and has just enjoyed "most successful year ever", with turnover up 10% in the last year, McAndrew said.

In 2014 profit was £107k compared to a loss of £73k in 2013, which it attributed to new accounts, growth from existing customers and a reorganisation of its private client team. Revenue grew 5% to £7.5m in the 12 months to 31 March 2014.