// Naked Wines founder and former CEO returns as board adviser
// Rowan Gormley’s appointment comes after the departure of a non-executive director
Naked Wines has hired founder and former chief executive Rowan Gormley, who is still a “material” shareholder, as a board adviser to help review the business.
Gormley’s appointment comes after the departure of a non-executive director after only three weeks.
The online wine specialist has also reported a drop in customer retention rates.
Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
Sign up here to get the latest news straight into your inbox each morning
The company said it was “reviewing potential operational and financial plans for the next 18 months”.
Gormley founded Naked Wines in 2008 and, following the acquisition by Majestic Wine, became chief executive of the larger group in 2015.
Despite stepping down in 2020, he still owes 2.1 million shares in the group.
Naked Wines said Gormley, whose position is unpaid and will last between two and three months, “will represent the views of shareholders and advise the board accordingly.”
“We wanted shareholder involvement in our ongoing operational and financial planning process,” Naked Wines chairman Darryl Rawlings said.
“I welcome Rowan providing his insight to us because his operational familiarity with the business and his viewpoint as a shareholder will provide a unique and valuable perspective to the Board as we position Naked for long-term sustainable growth.”
