Wine Society appoints new chief executive

A fresh approach and new ideas are promised after The Wine Society appointed Berry Bros & Rudd chief operating officer Robin McMillan as its new chief executive.

McMillan, who takes up the post in May, has been with Berry Bros since 1994, working in a variety of roles including retail, sales, operations, customer service, international business development, HR and logistics.

Berrys COO and a member of the board since 2006, he replaces previous Wine Society chief executive Oliver Johnson, who left in August last year.

‘Robin will bring a fresh approach and new ideas,’ said Wine Society chair Sarah Evans.

‘We are impressed by his energy, his understanding and appreciation of the mutual model, his attention to detail and focus on member service.’

However, she added: ‘With a tough economic environment and fierce competition, there is much to do to ensure that the Society remains at the forefront of the industry and continues to supply members with high-quality, good-value wines.’

Calling it ‘a privilege and a pleasure’ to have worked at Berrys, McMillan said: ‘I now consider myself equally fortunate to be joining another great organisation such as The Wine Society.

‘The mutual model demands an overriding focus on members and service, rather than profits and growth, and is almost unique in the wine trade, making it a very attractive prospect with, I believe, great further potential.’

Written by Richard Woodard