WineGB has announced a leadership shake-up, appointing an interim chair and several new board members.
Albury Organic Vineyard founder Nick Wenman takes over the top role in a temporary capacity, while Ruth Simpson, co-founder of Simpsons Wine Estate, becomes interim deputy chair.
Wenman steps up following the end of Sam Linter’s four-year tenure as chair, which concluded on 20 August. Linter, the first woman to hold the role, oversaw a period of significant change for the organisation. She introduced its first three-year strategy, Cultivating Success, and spearheaded initiatives to improve inclusivity, education and safeguarding across the UK wine industry.
“Having worked closely with Sam for over four years, I’m honoured to take on the role of interim chair at WineGB,” Wenman said.
“Our industry has been going through significant change and faces some challenges in the current economic climate, but I’m pleased that we have worked successfully in building a strong foundation for our future growth as well as continuing to reflect the needs of our members. Over the next nine months my focus will be on strengthening WineGB’s platform for long-term success, as well as ensuring that we deliver the highest level of support we can for our members.”
Linter added: “It has been a huge privilege to be leading WineGB during this pivotal time. When market conditions are tough it means that a membership body has to step up and deliver. Over the past four years WineGB has transformed, and I will be willing the board and team on as they build on our work.”
To bolster the board, WineGB has appointed three new directors. The first is Charlie Holland, who recently joined Jackson Family Wines to spearhead its new English wine business. Holland held the dual role of CEO and head winemaker at Gusbourne for over a decade.
Second is Michael Kennedy, chief executive of Roebuck Estates and former CEO of the Drambuie Liqueur Company. Since joining in 2022, he has overseen the growth of Roebuck’s vintage-only traditional method sparkling wines from Sussex vineyards.
Last up is Gary Smith is chief executive of MDCV UK. He took over as CEO in 2019 where he rapidly led the business to become England’s largest sparkling wine producer with a target of four to five million bottles by 2030.
Simpson, who replaces Wenman as deputy chair, has served on the board since 2021 and brings extensive international experience through Simpsons Wine Estate in Kent and Domaine de Sainte Rose in southern France.
Wenman will remain interim chair until May 2026, when he is due to retire from the board. WineGB said his focus will be on providing continuity, supporting the new directors and preparing the ground for a long-term successor to lead the UK industry body.
