The Australian Vintage Limited (AVL) Board has announced that it has re-appointed Craig Garvin as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), just five months after he left the business.
In May this year the AVL Board announced it had terminated Garvin’s contract for “engaging in conduct that, in its view, displayed a lack of judgement and was inconsistent with the values of the company”, and that Garvin’s conduct was not in line with the “high standards expected of [the] Chief Executive Officer”.
In announcing Garvin’s re-appointment, AVL Chairman James Williamson said: “The new Board of Australian Vintage is pleased to welcome Craig back to AVG. His appointment follows an external search that considered a number of exceptional candidates.
“After a thorough review of the circumstances and processes surrounding his departure from Australian Vintage in May, the Board felt it was important for Craig to be involved in the search process.
“Craig’s track record at AVG, his leadership style and deep understanding of our industry and our partners make him the right person to lead the company.
“He is a respected and well-liked leader who successfully led the change at AVG in a challenging environment. This included the development and implementation of the company’s five-year strategic plan, which transformed the company into a consumer-led business with a commitment to innovation.
“His appointment, after a difficult period for the company, highlights the Board’s laser-like focus on restoring shareholder value.
“Craig’s appointment positions us to strengthen the company and take advantage of opportunities in Australia and international markets.”
It has been an interesting time in AVL’s history since Garvin was terminated in May, with talks about a merger with Accolade Wines coming to an end, a new Board and strategy announced by the business. In August acting CEO Peter Perrin stood down after a diagnosis of a form of cancer.
Commenting on Garvin’s appointment, Chair of the Board’s People, Remuneration and Culture Committee, Margaret Zabel, said: “Craig has demonstrated his ability to create an effective high-performing team, build a strong culture, and develop enduring relationships with customers and other stakeholders.
“He is the right person to take Australian Vintage forward, and we are looking forward to working with him to create value for our shareholders to deliver great wine brands to our customers.”
Craig Garvin was CEO of AVL from November 2019 to May 2024, and prior to that, he was CEO of leading dairy manufacturer Parmalat for nearly a decade.