WineGB accelerates industry market growth with new hire
27th May 2024
WineGB has just announced the appointment of Talya Roberson, the former managing director of Roberson Wine, as its new industry relations lead.
At the same time, WineGB will extend its support with the creation of an industry marketing strategy, which will be developed by the newly established WineGB sales and marketing working group.
The association said that with 10 years of wine industry experience, Ms Roberson possesses both a thorough understanding of the GB wine sector and a commercial background in relationship management and marketing.
She joined UK wine merchant Roberson Wine in 2014 as marketing manager before becoming managing director in 2017. While at Roberson, she was instrumental in developing new commercial partnerships and profit across all sales channels.
In May 2022, she left the business to launch Marasby, the first English wine marketplace, helping customers buy direct from the producer at cellar door prices. Since then, she has successfully signed up over 40 producers to her platform after securing initial funding.
Celebrating all production methods and wine styles
A WineGB spokesperson explained that the industry relations lead role is a new part-time position focusing on building the company’s resilience through sourcing additional external funding, recruiting members, and promoting campaigns to secure new markets and drive sales.
They added: “With expertise across categories, sizes, and regions, the group will drive our work to ensure that English and Welsh wine is dominant in the UK market.
“WineGB aims to demonstrate the depth of our category across the whole of the UK by celebrating all production methods and wine styles as the sector matures.”
Within the UK market, Ms Roberson will be supported by WineGB’s new sales and marketing working group, headed by Gary Smith, CEO of MDCV UK.
Creating opportunities for GB wines
Commenting on her appointment, Ms Roberson said: “The UK is making the world’s most exciting cool climate wines.
“It’s an honour to be working with such great people to spread the word and grow our industry.”
Nicola Bates, CEO of WineGB, added: “I am thrilled to welcome Talya to the team as our industry relations lead. This is a new role designed to take WineGB to the next stage of its development and create opportunities for GB wines.
“Talya has unparalleled experience in commercial partnerships and marketing combined with considerable knowledge of our industry, both through her relationship with urban winery London Cru and wine marketplace Marasby.
“She will be supported by our new sales and marketing working group, which through collaboration and shared expertise, is accelerating our vital marketing work to champion the whole industry in our home market.
“The opportunity is huge, and the delivery of a framework and strategy will help all our members and new entrants as our sector continues to grow.”
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