Subscriber login Close [x]
remember me
You are not logged in.

Ex-Tesco wine technical head Andy Gale joins Concha y Toro

Published:  01 October, 2014

Concha y Toro UK has appointed Tesco's former technical manager for wine, Andy Gale, to head up its new business and technical development.

Concha y Toro UK has appointed Tesco's former technical manager for wine, Andy Gale, to head up its new business and technical development.

Andy GaleEx-Tesco technical manager Andy Gale joins CyTConcha y Toro's general manager Simon Doyle said Gale's appointment is 'designed to ensure we are fit to meet the ambitious long term growth targets which we agreed late in 2013'.

Gale joins Concha y Toro after 18 years at the supermarket.

Simon Doyle, general manager at CyT UK said: "Andy Gale is the latest in a series of senior appointments across the business designed to ensure we are fit to meet the ambitious long term growth targets which we agreed late in 2013.

"A significant proportion of the projected growth will need to come from new business and product development and we recognised it was essential to have that expertise in house. Having worked directly with Andy on many projects in recent years I am delighted to have secured someone of his calibre. As head of new business development, Andy will be responsible for enhancing our commercial and technical capabilities to win the new business we seek."

Gale added: "I am delighted to be joining the team at Concha y Toro and tremendously excited at being given the opportunity to help drive the business forward. Given the incredible wine brands within CyT's portfolio and the amazing potential of the Company, I'm relishing the challenge ahead of me."

Earlier this year CyT said it was  increasing its marketing spend by 20% in the UK, with a focus on core brands, a move into "everyday pricing" with Frontera and a shake-up of California at the £6 to £9 level. Speaking at the time Doyle said the firm was "over-investing" in the UK - its biggest export market - to retain its market share.

It has focused on Casillero del Diablo and Isla Negra, as well as relaunching its Frontera range.

Concha y Toro has been putting in a strong performance of late across its whole range. Its Cono Sur brand recently toasted a £7 million boost to sales - growth of 100% - following its sponsorship of the UK leg of the Tour de France.

Doyle said: "Our growth ambitions should not be limited or contained by today's Chilean share of the wine category. As a category leader it is our responsibility to broaden the appeal of Chilean wines by understanding customer and shopper needs and ensuring our propositions meet them."

Keywords: