Flaherty out as Treasury Wine restructures

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) this morning announced a restructure that has resulted in the departure of Chris Flaherty, the company’s Australia and New Zealand managing director.

TWE chief executive Warwick Every-Burns today revealed Flaherty and Asia managing director Anthony Davie would leave the company under the “much simpler and more effective structure”.

“TWE recognises the significant contribution that they have both made to TWE and the company wishes them every future success,” the company announced to the ASX.

In the past, TWE’s executive team included the leaders of five brand business units and four regional business units. Under its new structure these nine roles will be condensed to three, with one chief marketing officer and two regional chief commercial officers.

"As chief executive I now have seven direct reports compared to the previous thirteen; with each person on my new leadership team having clear responsibility and accountability for a distinct function or geographic region," Every-Burns said.

Wolf Blass brand business unit managing director Simon Marton has been appointed as chief marketing officer, with the establishment of a new global marketing function bringing together all brands and marketing teams under one unified management structure.

“By placing TWE’s established Penfolds, Rosemount, Lindeman’s, Wolf Blass and Beringer brand teams under Simon’s leadership TWE will continue to build iconic brands whilst delivering improved coordination and effectiveness across the company’s entire brand portfolio,” the company said.

The delivery of TWE's commercial strategies around the world will be led by two regional chief commercial officers: Sandra LeDrew will head-up the Americas, and Andrew Carter Asia Pacific/Europe, Middle East & Africa. 

“In these roles Sandra and Andrew will lead in-market execution supported by teams across all key functions,” TWE said.

“With a greater focus on global alignment, local execution and accountability, TWE will be able to make better and faster decisions at a country level, providing an improved service to all of the company’s customers.”

With immediate effect, TWE’s new executive leadership team is as follows:

• Chief executive officer: Warwick Every-Burns
• Chief financial officer: Tony Reeves
• Chief legal officer: Paul Conroy
• Chief supply officer: Stuart McNab
• Chief human resources officer: Megan Collins
• Chief marketing officer: Simon Marton
• Chief commercial officer – APAC/EMEA: Andrew Carter
• Chief commercial officer – Americas: Sandra LeDrew

Source: The Shout, 27 November 2013