Accolade Wines

The Challenge

Since its formation in 2012, Accolade Wines has established itself as a global wine company responsible for bringing a huge range of wines to their customers in over 80 countries. It is now the leading wine company, by volume, in both the UK and Australia. Brands include Hardys, Kumala, Banrock Station and Echo Falls.

With emerging markets increasingly a priority, the Board commissioned a strategic review resulting in a requirement for a new mainland European office.

The Solution

Cesium Group was invited to partner with Accolade’s European Leadership Team to ascertain the most appropriate location for the new European office. The initial consulting project shortlisted two leading capital cities in the Central/Eastern Europe region.

Factoring into the equation considerations such macro economics, infrastructure, labour law, talent availability and salary and benefits analysis, the process concluded with a recommendation on location. Warsaw in Poland.

With the main Board validating the recommendation, Cesium Group set about resourcing the entire team, which included marketing and finance leadership appointments as well as brand and logistics roles.

The successful completion of this project emphasised the Cesium Group’s agility to operate effectively on the ground, wherever that territory might be.

Testimonial

“I worked with Paul over a number of months in establishing an Eastern European commercial office for our business. During this period I found his commitment and market insight invaluable in the process, He has a very open and direct style of communication. Due to his vast network within the FMCG sector, both in the UK and Europe, we were able to recruit a number of very high calibre candidates whom we would not have been able to recruit. I would have no hesitation in recommending Paul.”