By Amy Looker
Family-owned wine company, Brown Brothers, has announced that Ross Brown will step down from his role as CEO, making way for current general manager, Roland Wahlquist, to move into the CEO position.
Brown said the change was a part of a long-term succession planning strategy, and that Wahlquist was well-equipped to take on the role.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the excitement and demands of the top job, but 10 years had always been the time frame I saw that I could realistically work at this level. This transition is all about timely succession planning,” said Brown.
“Roland has all the experience, knowledge and energy for the role and I’m absolutely delighted he has accepted the challenge and the increased responsibilities.”
Wahlquist commenced with Brown Brothers 21 years ago as a winemaker, before progressing to the role of operations manager.
He was appointed general manager in 2001, during which time the company experience significant growth.
Brown said that appointing Wahlquist to the position of CEO would give him more time to be involved in other aspects of the business, and denied that the change was a move towards retirement.
“To the contrary, this will increase my available time to be representing the family business globally, as well as contributing to industry bodies, while keeping abreast of the changing international wine business.”
Wahlquist’s appointment to the position of CEO became effective today.