By Ian Neubauer
Taylors Wines has appointed a former Foster’s sales executive to the position of national sales manager.
Dereck Raney will join the Sydney-based winemaker and merchant on October 7 following the departure of Justin Taylor, who has moved to the US to take on the new role of Taylors brand ambassador.
Mondo Search managing director, Simone Allan, whose company was contracted to recruit the candidate, said it took an unusually long amount of time to close the books on this job.
“It took a long time," But Dereck has a strong background on- and off-premise. He’s led teams working with Parmalat, he has a background with services working at Coles and he was national business manager at Foster’s.”
Taylor’s wine managing director, Mitchell Taylor, said he was confident Raney was the right person for the job.
“We wanted someone with ability and market experience and all the contacts. So it took quite some time to find the right candidate who could fit into the family business and take it to the next level going forward,” he said.
Taylor said the company was looking to consolidate on the strong reputation of its red wine and also build new ranges.
“We’ve just launched our new Eighty Acres range and we’re seeking to have a big emphasis on new white wines,” he said.