Exclusive: TWE Appoints Bob Spooner To Lead Americas Region, As Sandra LeDrew Departs

Treasury Wine Estates Americas is set to come under new leadership, Shanken News Daily has learned. Sandra LeDrew, who has been president of Treasury’s Americas business for four years, is departing at the end of the month. She will be replaced by Bob Spooner, a consumer goods veteran who joined TWE as chief supply officer just over a year ago.

LeDrew, who prior to joining TWE was a longtime Diageo executive, told SND, “I’ve enjoyed my tenure at Treasury and look forward to my next role in the wine business I love.” Wayne Chaplin, president and CEO of Southern Wine & Spirits, said of LeDrew, “I have the utmost respect for her. Sandra’s done a great job over the years. She’s one of the best industry professionals we’ve ever worked with.”

TWE’s Americas unit has made strides under LeDrew’s leadership. When she joined in early 2012, the division was coming off a fiscal year in which its U.S. volume declined 12%. In its fiscal year through last June, by contrast, TWE’s Americas region saw a 0.7% depletions increase and net sales growth of 9%. TWE is expected to post strong results for the half-year through December later today, but the company has already raised its profit forecast for its current fiscal year, noting solid performance in the U.S., Australia and Asia.

Incoming TWE Americas president Spooner began his career with Sara Lee’s household and personal care business in the U.K. before moving to ICI paints as European supply chain director. For seven years he was group supply chain director for Premier Foods Ltd.—working under Treasury chief executive Michael Clarke for part of that time—and was CEO of British baking and flour milling business Hovis Ltd. immediately prior to joining TWE. Over the past year, he has been a driving force behind TWE’s strategic move to divide its portfolio into two distinct sets: one comprised of its luxury and $10-$20 (or Masstige) brands, and the other focusing on its commercial brands.

Calling the Americas “a crucial growth platform for Treasury Wine Estates,” Clarke said Spooner’s appointment will help the unit accelerate its momentum. “Our recent acquisition of Diageo’s wine business, and increasingly regional focus on TWE’s supply chain, means now is the right time for someone of Bob’s abilities to lead a unified and highly productive team in this region,” Clarke added.

Tagged : Diageo, Hovis Ltd, ICI, Premier Foods Ltd, Sara Lee, Southern Wine & Spirits, Treasury Wine Estates

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