AWC Global Plc Appoints New Sales Director for Asia

LONDON, May 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

- AWC reports 40% of its fine wine sales are in Asia -  

AWC Global plc is pleased to announce the appointment of Jean Philippe Guillot as Sales Director Asian Markets.  Guillot joins AWC from Bernard Magrez Grands Vignobles Proprietaire where he was Export Director for Asia and previously Sales Manager for the region.  In this newly created position, he will lead AWC's sales team of six in Hong Kong and The Philippines reporting directly into CEO Stephen Williams.  

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Jean Philippe Guillot joins as AWC reports its fine wine sales in Asia have reached 40% of the company's overall business.  Following outside investment in 2013, AWC is currently engaged in a multi-year programme of expansion into traditional and emerging fine wine markets around the globe, with particular focus on Asia, and predicts over 55% of the company's overall business will be from Asia in the next two years.

Stephen Williams AWC's CEO comments: "Between 2009 and 2013 AWC's fine wine sales in Asia have increased by over 23% and now represent 40% of our overall business.  As part of our strategic plans in the region we are looking to boost this further with Jean Philippe's appointment as he leads and develops our Asian private client and trade activity primarily in Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau and The Philippines, but also developing the business more widely in China, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam."  

Jean Philippe Guillot adds:  "Customers in Asia are becoming increasingly sophisticated and demand for wines which are at the very top of the quality pyramid continues to increase. AWC has the product range and speciality to meet this demand and I'm pleased to be leading the team to ensure we capitalise as much as possible on the opportunity.  For AWC Hong Kong we will be developing our relationships further with private clients, 5 star hotels and casinos.  My ambition for AWC Philippines, is to become the biggest wine distributor in the country within three years and we will be building the team extensively to achieve this.  Following the considerable success of our exclusive representation in the Philippines of Clarendelle, produced by Clarence Dillon Wines, in conjunction with the winemaking team from Château Haut-Brion and Château La Mission Haut-Brion, we are currently gathering a very select group of other iconic wines to represent from key countries around the world. The very best service will be at the heart of everything we do in Asia as it is with AWC globally."

Jean Philippe Guillot has worked in the fine wine industry in Asia for 10 years.  In addition to his senior sales and export roles for Bernard Magrez and Château Pape Clément, he was Regional Sales Manager for Warehouse (Annam Group), the biggest wine supplier in Vietnam with the most famous wine brands from 14 countries.

AWC 

AWC is a luxury wine and spirits company that was originally established more than 25 years ago by current CEO Stephen Williams. From its headquarters in Marylebone, Central London and its two sales offices in Asia, AWC supplies fine wine to private individuals, hotels, restaurants, and the global wine trade.

Internationally recognised as experts in the fine wine industry, AWC's exclusive stocks and services are highly sought-after. The company routinely manages, provides advice on and actively supports wine cellars that are held in châteaux, palaces, grand hotels and exclusive, private residences worldwide.

In 2013 AWC's trading entities were amalgamated to form AWC Global PLC; a UK Public Limited Company, which is currently engaged in a multi-year programme of expansion into traditional and emerging fine wine markets around the globe.

SOURCE AWC