Hallgarten & Novum Wines has announced that its long-standing MD, Andrew Bewes, will step down in March 2026 after 16 years at the helm, marking the end of one of the most influential leadership tenures in UK wine distribution.

Bewes steered the business through significant commercial expansion, a raft of major industry awards and its 2023 acquisition by Coterie Holdings. He leaves Hallgarten ‘in a position of significant strength’, the business said in a statement, with turnover forecast to exceed £100m this year.

During his time in charge, the company established itself as one of the UK’s most respected specialist distributors. Under Bewes’ guidance, Hallgarten secured some of the trade’s top accolades – including IWC On-Trade Supplier of the Year (2023 and 2025) and multiple Sommelier Wine Awards trophies – while also advancing its sustainability credentials through its in-house ‘Eco Standard’ and achieving ISO 14001 certification.

“Leading Hallgarten has been the absolute privilege of my career,” Bewes said. “I am immensely proud of the passionate, dedicated team we have built and everything we have accomplished together… the time is right for me to pass the baton.”

Michael Saunders, CEO of Coterie Holdings, paid tribute to Bewes’ role both before and after the group’s acquisition. “His vision has built Hallgarten into the benchmark for quality and service in the UK wine trade… He has laid an outstanding foundation for future success.”

Founded in 1933 and now part of Coterie’s expanding fine-wine ecosystem alongside Lay & Wheeler, Jera Wine and Coterie Vaults, Hallgarten continues to strengthen its position across the premium on and off-trade, supplying wines from producers around the world.

A recruitment process for Bewes’ successor has not yet been announced.