By Andy Young
Key changes to the leadership teams are taking place at both Accolade Wines and Paradise Beverages.
Accolade's CEO Michael East has announced his plans to take early retirement, while Paradise has formally confirmed the appointment of Mike Spencer as its new General Manager.
East informed the Accolade board of his plans to retire after the company decided to withdraw from its IPO process.
“I had always intended to retire at the beginning of 2019 and I believe it is the right thing to do so now in view of the longer time scale for an eventual IPO,” East said.
Chairman Jim Anderson has been appointed Executive Chairman and will now lead the company as it beds down its recent acquisition of Fine Wine Partners.
“I want to thank Michael for taking on the CEO role at short notice last year and recognise his distinguished professionalism at Accolade. Michael has made a major contribution to Accolade through his leadership of the Australia and New Zealand business over the last five years. The Board wishes him well in his future retirement,” Anderson said.
Meanwhile Paradise Beverages has confirmed that Mike Spencer, who stepped into the Acting General Manager role following Tony Scanlan's departure last October, has been formally appointed as the company's new General Manager.
“I’m absolutely thrilled and humbled to be given the opportunity to lead this great business. I was with the business in Fiji between 1993 and 1996 and have never forgotten that experience.
"My mission is to make Paradise the premier place to work in the region, continue the focus on creating world class beverages that we can enjoy locally and also take globally, and lastly to ensure we make a positive contribution to Fiji and Samoa,” Spencer said.
Spencer has been with the business since 1986 when it was owned by Carlton & United Breweries and moved to the newly-named Paradise Beverages when it was purchased by Coca-Cola Amatil in 2012.