Virgin Wines promotes from within as CFO retires

Virgin Wines chief financial officer and company secretary Graeme Weir is retiring from the company after 22 years.

The direct-to-consumer online wine retailer said Weir played a “huge role” in the growth of the business, including leading it to a private equity-backed buyout in 2013 and its flotation in 2021.

Weir, who will step down on 4 April, is succeeded by Virgin Wines’ head of group finance Amanda Cherry.

Cherry, who has been at the retailer for 16 years, is a qualified chartered accountant and spent time at United Utilities and Interfloor Group.

Virgin Wines chief executive Jay Wright said: “We would like to thank Graeme for his enormous contribution to the group and wish him well in his retirement.

“He has played a vital role in the group’s significant progress and growth over the last 22 years. It has been a privilege to work with him over that period and he will be missed by the whole Virgin Wines team.

“However, I look forward to progressing the next stage of our growth with Amanda, who is well embedded in the business, and welcome her to the board.”

Weir added: “After 22 years as CFO of Virgin Wines, I feel now is the right time to step down and enjoy retirement.

“I am delighted to hand over the reins to Amanda, who knows the business well and will provide continuity but also a fresh impetus into Virgin Wines’ future growth plans.”

The group reported earlier this year a “highly encouraging” performance over the key Christmas trading period as it outperformed the wider market.

Sales increased 6.7% year on year over the six weeks to 27 December, with revenue over the month as a whole up 9% year-on-year.

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