Buckingham Schenk promotes Craig Durham to MD

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 12 January, 2015

Wine supplier Buckingham Schenk has promoted Craig Durham from sales director to managing director as current chief Jon Pepper MW prepares for his move to Enotria.

Craig Durham Craig Durham, new MD at Buckingham Schenk

Durham has been at the company for 12 years, and on the management team for the last eight years. He takes up the role on February 1, 2015.

Pepper has led the Buckingham Schenk business for the last four years, but announced in November that he was leaving to join the Enotria team as buying and retail director.

Buckingham Schenk is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Europe's Schenk Group - it bought 25% of the company from founder Cliff Roberson in 1994 and the remainder of the company in 2012.

Frank Hooij, director general of international activities at the Schenk Group said: "Craig has been a key part of the management team at Buckingham for the last eight years, and has been responsible for delivering the company's strategy to expand into new channels and product groups.

"He has a deep understanding of the business and the UK market and so is uniquely positioned to continue to drive Buckingham's growth. Craig has an outstanding track record managing his team and working with customers during his time as Sales Director and we are confident that he will lead the company to more success in the coming years."

Craig joined the business in 2003 as national accounts manager and became sales director in 2008. Prior to that he worked in FMCG, spending time at Constellation Wines and Kraft Foods.

Durham said: "This is a very exciting time for Buckingham as we grow into new product areas such as our recently acquired very successful Prosecco facilities Bacio della Luna and continue our drive into the on-trade, while established brands such as Viñalba go from strength to strength. I am thrilled to be given this opportunity, we have a fantastic team at Buckingham Schenk and we are fortunate to work with some outstanding producers and wines. I am confident I can continue the company's recent successes and I look forward to the challenges of my new role."

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