// Majestic Wine unveils new additions to leadership team
// Includes a new head of buying John Storm and customer director Matthew Gaunt
// Robert Cooke will also be leading the wine retailer’s commercial team as commercial MD Olivia Fitzgerald leaves
Majestic Wine has revealed details of a number of changes to its leadership team as the alcohol retailer prepares for its new chapter.
In the hopes of aligning goals across the business, the retailer has given chief commercial officer Robert Cooke the responsibility of running Majestic Wine’s commercial team with the aim of bringing it back closer to retail.
Majestic Wine said this means current commercial managing director Olivia Fitzgerald will be leaving the business.
READ MORE: Majestic Wine hires Alex Jablonowski as new CFO
Cooke’s new commercial remit will sit alongside his other responsibilities overseeing Majestic Wine’s trading proposition and buying teams, and building the customer offer across all channels.
Meanwhile Matthew Gaunt, who has been working with the alcohol retailer on an advisory basis since January, will be appointed interim customer director, taking on responsibility for Majestic Wine’s marketing and customer management.
The retailer also revealed the appointment of John Storm as head of buying.
Storm joins Majestic Wine from Marks & Spencer, where he led the beer wine and spirits trading team.
Prior to that, he worked with Tesco in a series of senior commercial and buying roles.
Deborah Ormondroyd will also be joining Majestic Wine on May 4 as the new London regional manager.
She recently worked at Cath Kidston, where she was the regional manager for south and Europe.
“The recent additions to our team show a clear pathway and investment in the future of Majestic,” chief executive John Colley said.
“I am delighted to welcome new colleagues into the business during this pivotal year for the company.
“They join alongside a series of key internal promotions too, something which Majestic has a long tradition of.”
Colley added that the retailer’s current focus was on navigating the difficulties presented by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Whilst our number one priority remains the wellbeing of everyone connected with Majestic, we are also working hard to build a plan and structure which will enable us to grow in the months and years to come,” he said,
“I would also personally like to highlight my thanks to Olivia Fitzgerald for her hard work, passion and positivity over the last few years.”
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