Majestic has bolstered its buying team with three senior hires as it looks to accelerate uptake across its drinks and gifting range.
The wine retailer has appointed Phil Edwards, Karen O’Donoghue and Catherine Forbes-Taylor as senior buyers, each taking responsibility for key wine categories as part of a wider restructure of the business’s buying operations.
Edwards (pictured, left), who brings more than 30 years’ experience in the trade, joins from General Wine & Liquor Company, where he was commercial manager. He will oversee Spain, rosé, Champagne & sparkling and fine wine. His previous career includes senior roles at Direct Wines, Booker, Safeway, Threshers, Mitchells & Butlers and Drinks 21.
O’Donoghue (right) moves to Majestic from Irish retailer Dunnes Stores and will be responsible for French red and white wines. She is a WSET Diploma holder and MW student.
Meanwhile, Forbes-Taylor (centre) joins from Ella’s Kitchen, where she held a senior buying role. Her remit will cover New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and Chile, drawing on 15 years’ experience at John Lewis, Whittard of Chelsea and Laura James. Educated to WSET Level 3, Forbes-Taylor also brings specialist knowledge of packaging and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
In addition, James Cox has returned to Majestic as junior buyer, having previously worked in its stores between 2011 and 2015. Most recently at Le Cave de Pyrene, Cox will support senior buyer Tom Brady in expanding the retailer’s low & no alcohol, snacks and accessories offer.
The new recruits join a team that includes Jane Masters MW, Zara Cassidy, Andy Bray and Rebecca Ohayon Gergely, under head of buying Matt Fowkes.
Majestic MD Elizabeth Newman said: “I’m delighted to welcome Phil, Karen, Catherine and James to Majestic. They bring different ideas, perspectives and expertise to the buying team. I’m really looking forward to working with all of them as we develop our award-winning proposition across wines, beers, spirits and our fast-growing snacks and gifting categories.
“We’re really proud of our track record of sourcing exciting, innovative and exclusive wines from around the world, and our new buyers are perfectly placed to help us continue delivering on that promise for our customers.”
The appointments follow a period of rapid expansion for Majestic, which has opened more than 20 new stores since its 2019 return to private ownership. It also acquired Vagabond Wines in 2024 as part of its push into experiential retail and hospitality. The retailer now operates over 200 stores across the UK and Jersey, supported by more than 1,000 WSET-trained colleagues.
