Henry is a well known figure in the UK wine industry. He worked for well known wine writer Robert Joseph, then for Harpers, the Wine & Spirit Weekly followed by marketing director for Italian wine specialist Enotria before joining the generic body for the Australian wine industry, initially responsible for UK and Ireland.
Henry then landed the top job, arguably one of the most important jobs in the global wine industry. Henry quipped that the job description changed fundamentally after he took over. After years of impressive growth and expansion with Australian leading the way in making, selling and marketing wine in the modern era, a serious of droughts, bad vintages, forest fires in the key south-eastern region, ‘Brand Australia’ started to falter. With all of the plantings, encouraged and at least partly sponsored by the Australian government, production started to exceed demand. As a result prices and margins came under pressure.
Corporation chief executive, Andrew Cheesman said: “AWBC is building a commercially aware and customer focused culture where industry needs are at the very centre of our business. We are embracing change which includes introducing new people, new ideas and a different approach into our business.”
Henry will consult the AWBC regarding the execution of some fine wine marketing activities. He leaves on December 10.
