Tesco confirms shake up of wine buying team

By Erin Smith

Published: 16 April, 2015

Today Tesco confirmed several changes to its wine buying team as a result of a restructure including the appointment of James Davis MW as category buying manager for wine as well as some key departures.

Harpers.co.uk reported on Davis' retun to Tesco yesterday following an internal review.

The head of BWS Gavin Warburton said: "We have had to make a number of changes to the team over the last few months so I would like to thank everyone in the BWS team, both those staying on at Tesco, and outgoing members, for all the hard work and professionalism they have shown throughout this time."

Davis, who previously worked at Tesco as a wine buying manager, will be leaving his role as the senior buyer at Greene King. He has been with Greene King for over seven years.

Warburton said: "James' broad experience will bring valued skills to the wine team. We look forward to welcoming him and working together to continue to bring excitement, quality and value for money to our customers in the wine aisle." Davis will be reporting to Warburton.

The addition of an MW helps fill the vacancy on Tesco's wine buying team left when Laura Jewell MW took on a new leadership role as the head of Wine Australia UK earlier this year.

Other changes as a result of the restructuring of the wine buying team are understood to include the departure of Lucy Clements and Alain Guilpain. Clements, who was the wine product development manager will be moving to Australia to work with multiple retailer Coles in a buying role. Alain Guillain was the group wine category manager.

Graham Nash and Charlotte Lemoine will remain on the team as product development managers. James Griswood will continue a sabbatical with Origin Wines in South Africa.

David Coulshed has been appointed to oversee spirits. Peter Bexton, who currently works at Tesco as a buying manager for the baby care category, will oversee the beer category. Chris Gee, who also currently works at Tesco as a senior marketing manager for packaged product, has been appointed to the category format manager.

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