Saunders spreads his wings

By Andrew Catchpole

Published: 11 January, 2018

Ex-Bibendum MD and Conviviality business development director Michael Saunders has stepped back from a full time roll at the UK drinks giant with plans to explore other avenues including consultancy to the industry.

Saunders told Harpers that he is continuing to work at Conviviality two days a week, saying that the “business is going incredibly well” and stressed that he remains firmly committed to playing a part in that success.

However, with more time to focus elsewhere, Saunders said that he is open to new opportunities, with “one or two considerations already in the pipeline”, through his independent company Dower House Consulting.

“There isn’t much to say at the moment as this all happened [recently], but I am open to ideas,” said Saunders, declining to be drawn further.

A well-know and influential figure in the trade, Saunders was managing director at Bibendum Wine where for 34 years since its founding in 1982 he built the company (originally along with joint-managing director Dan Jago) from its Primrose Hill merchant origins to a heavyweight national wholesaler.

Bibendum was sold to the fast expanding Conviviality Ltd in May 2016, with Saunders coming aboard to work with CEO Diana Hunter as business development director, while also helping affect a smooth transition into the fold for his old company.

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