New World wine company, Accolade Wines, has appointed its General Manager UK and Ireland, Paul Schaafsma to be Chief Executive Officer, succeeding John Ratcliffe who will become Deputy Chairman and also continue to advise on the strategic development of the company.
Accolade Wines is one of the world’s largest wine businesses delivering more than 35million cases* in143 countries totalling A$1 billion in sales annually.
Following the recent acquisition of Chile’s Viña Anakena, Accolade Wines is now the only wine company with a presence in all the major New World wine regions.
Paul has been involved in the wine industry for nearly 20 years, with extensive experience in the Australian, UK, European and African markets.
For the past three years Paul has headed the largest division of Accolade Wines, the UK and Ireland region, where the business is the number one wine company by value and volume, more than double the size of its nearest competitor.
Under Paul’s leadership the market share of Accolade Wines in the UK has grown over 70 per cent and Hardys, the leading wine brand in the UK on trade and off trade, has increased its market share by almost 16 per cent.
Prior to joining Accolade Wines, Paul was the driving force behind McGuigan Wines becoming a market leader across the UK and Ireland while he was General Manager of Australian Vintage in that region.
The Accolade Wines Board paid tribute to John Ratcliffe during whose tenure the company established its position as the preeminent supplier of New World premium, commercial and value wines from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United States and Chile.
Under John’s leadership Accolade Wines has delivered industry-leading performance with a portfolio centred on Hardys, one of the world’s most illustrious wine brands, which has sales in 150 countries within reach.
As a result of this success and after five years, firstly as advisor to the business and then its CEO, the Board and John have agreed that he become non-executive Deputy Chairman ahead of time. John will pursue his other business activities while continuing to provide strategic advice to the Board.
Paul will take up his appointment on 1 October. He will be spending time in all of Accolade Wines’ markets, travelling from bases in the UK and Australia.
