I wake up to news today that David Cox has left his role as European director of New Zealand Winegrowers, which is a great loss for all those involved in the New Zealand wine industry.
Cox is a straight-talking, no bullshit kind of guy yet he charms the pants off people. He also has strong business acumen and knows the wine market like few other people in the UK.
A brief press release said Cox had left the organisation ‘to pursue other interests and projects.’
As reported on decanter.com the release did not include reasons for Cox’s departure, nor did it thank him for his three-year tenure at the organisation, instead global marketing director Chris Yorke quoted the latest Nielsen figures on New Zealand wine’s market share and average retail price per bottle of £6.33!
Cox did not always see eye to eye with the leadership here in New Zealand and his straight talking was probably at odds with the let’s-not-upset-anyone attitude that seems to course through the New Zealand wine industry, including its leadership (ouch, I’m going to get in trouble for that).
Perhaps it was the December 2012 Strategic Review that tilted the boat. There will be some internal shuffling but perhaps its aims were not far-reaching enough, in his opinion, but this is speculation.
I am sad to see Cox go. In my opinion, he was doing a bloody good job. I will be interested to see what he does next although he has revealed there is nothing in the pipeline as yet.
Perhaps I should put my hand up to be his successor! Then again, my no bullshit, straight talking attitude would probably upset too many people.
