Accolade Wines has appointed its UK and Ireland GM Paul Schaafsma as its new CEO, succeeding John Ratcliffe.
Ratcliffe will become deputy chairman and continue to advise on the company's strategic development.
Accolade Wines currently delivers more than 35 million cases in 143 countries, totalling AU$1 billion in sales annually.
Following the recent acquisition of Chile’s Viña Anakena, Accolade Wines now has a presence in all the major New World wine regions.
Schaafsma has experience with Australian, UK, European and African markets, and headed up Accolade's UK and Ireland operations for the last three years.
During Ratcliffe's tenure, the company established its position as supplier of New World premium, commercial and value wines from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States and Chile.
