Nick Yates has been named channel director, on-trade spirits, responsible for the company’s on-trade commercial spirit strategies across route to market, managed retail, independent and ‘prestige’ outlets. Yates, formally business unit controller, has 11 years of commercial experience at Pernod Ricard UK and will report directly to the company’s newly appointed commercial director for spirits, Simon van Moppes.
Yates’ previous roles at Pernod Ricard UK have included on-trade field sales, national account, retail sector and route to market management positions.
Chris Ellis is to maintain his position as channel director, off-trade spirits, but with increased responsibility for the wholesale cash and carry channel.
Lee James has been appointed to the role of channel director - wines, responsible for the company’s wine and champagne sales activities across the convenience, specialist, wholesale cash and carry and on-trade sectors. He will report to Simon Thomas, deputy managing director for Pernod Ricard UK with responsibility for the sales and marketing of the company’s wines brands.
James, who has been overseeing Pernod Ricard UK’s wine business in the grocery multiples for two years, started his career with Pernod Ricard UK in 2005 as customer development director responsible for category development and customer marketing for wines, spirits and champagne. Prior to this, he held senior commercial and marketing roles at Allied Domecq, Seagram and Mars Confectionery. James holds a WSET Diploma in Wines and Spirits.
