An ex-Sommelier at JW Marriott where he was assigned to develop the wine portfolio and make it into a wine destination, the Australian has since been with Fine Wines N More where he quickly rose to the position of Senior Vice President. As a Diwali gift, he got promoted over a week ago to the position of Chief Operating Officer, responsible for total operations of the wine importing company. Confirming to delWine, Craig said that Dharti had decided to hand him the reigns of the company and concentrate on her other businesses which take her to New York every quarter. As the COO, he would be responsible for the total operations of the company.
Earlier, Abimalek David, the former Vice President of Sultania Trading Co which is primarily involved with liquor marketing had joined FWM a few months ago. He is responsible for the total sales of the company including Fratelli Wines for Mumbai. Till recently, FWM had been the marketing advisor to the company.
With the top level reinforced, Dharti can perhaps enjoy the fruits of professional management of the company she founded barely 4 years ago. She would naturally find more time to devote to her Direct marketing business which has been flourishing from day one and has been in fact, supporting the wine business.
Several phone calls to express her views remain unanswered- perhaps she is in New York for her other group businesses. It would be interesting to see if the company manages to become one of the top three companies with the top spot being permanently kept by Brindco since 2002, with the recent management moves. |