Laithwaites Wine owner Direct Wines has appointed Philippa Strub as its new group chief executive, succeeding David Gates.

Strub joined the business in 2012 and has served as UK MD since 2018. She now steps into the top role at what she described as “a challenging time” for the sector, but one full of opportunity.

“As a family owned business we have the privilege and opportunity of taking a long-term view of how wine and wine-selling needs to adapt to changes in customer and government behaviour. I’m really up for that challenge and believe I have the team to drive the change we need to see,” she said.  

Gates will retire after Christmas to pursue a portfolio career, following a drinks-sector career spanning innovation and marketing roles at Diageo and a spell at Brewdog Distilling before joining Direct Wines during the pandemic. Family chair Will Laithwaite praised Gates for bringing “world-class brand thinking” and championing talent development. He also welcomed Strub as “a proven winner” with an “exemplary track record”.

Direct Wines was founded in 1969 by Tony Laithwaite, who remains involved in the business, selling direct-to-consumer wines across the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand, alongside franchises in select markets. Laithwaites Wine – the group’s most recognised label – now offers around 1,200 wines from 26 countries. It is one of ten leading retailers signed up to the Sustainable Wine Roundtable’s Bottle Weight Accord.