Hatch Mansfield looks to the future with leadership appointments
Planning for the future, Hatch Mansfield is implementing a series of managerial changes. From 1st October, current MD, Patrick McGrath MW, takes on the newly created role of Chairman of Hatch Mansfield, as Ben Knollys steps into the role of Managing Director.
As Managing Director, Knollys will report to Patrick McGrath MW, overseeing the day to day running of the business with all departmental directors reporting directly to him. As one of the of the founding shareholders of Hatch Mansfield in 1994, McGrath will remain very much at the helm in his new position of Chairman.
Looking to the future: Patrick McGrath MW (left) takes on the newly created role of Chairman of Hatch Mansfield, as Ben Knollys (right) steps into the role of Managing Director.
Knollys joined Hatch Mansfield in 2002 following time with Berkmann, Lea & Sandeman and Fullers. He joined as a Regional Sales Manager and over the last 19 years has worked in a number of sales roles, as well as being involved in many cross functional projects. He has also been instrumental in recruiting and embedding into the business the latest producers: Gaja, Zuccardi and M.CHAPOUTIER. Completing an MBA in 2009, he was appointed Sales Director in 2012, joining the Hatch Mansfield board in 2017.
McGrath comments ‘The senior management team has always been mindful about the long-term development of Hatch, constantly looking ahead to ensure sustainable business growth and stability. Starting as a team of five in a little office in Frimley with our original partners, Louis Jadot, Errazuriz and Villa Maria, we are now a team of nearly 60 working with 17 prestigious brands. I believe that succession planning is hugely important, but often forgotten about. It is crucial in any company’s evolution and I am blessed with a team who share this view and have worked together to ensure continuity and evolution for the future.
‘Ben brings a wealth of experience, working his way from the grass roots of our business. He fully understands the complexities of the UK wine trade. With an in-depth understanding of how Hatch operates and ticks he has played a key role in our success to date. I will still head up the business as a primary contact for all our unparalleled suppliers and will continue to manage my customers. I believe it is important to retain that presence at the coal face to fully understand the opportunities and challenges that we all face – as everyone knows I am not one for sitting still. This is an exciting and carefully considered new chapter for Hatch Mansfield. It will further strengthen our position as we grow and develop,’ says McGrath.
‘I am thrilled to be passed the baton from Patrick and look forward to his continued guidance,’ comments Knollys. ‘We have an exceptionally strong, hard-working team in place in all parts of the business and I am deeply proud to work with them to enable delivery of an excellent level of service to our valued customers and to our first-rate suppliers who ensure we have a portfolio of phenomenal wines to keep growing in the UK.’
The new appointments take effect immediately.
Hatch Mansfield are UK specialists in premium wines made by independently owned wine companies. Established in 1994, it remains fiercely independent, supplying all sectors of the UK wine trade.
They are sole UK agents for: Caliterra, Champagne Taittinger, C.V.N.E, Domaine Carneros, Errazuriz, Esk Valley, Gaja, Joseph Mellot, Kleine Zalze, Leftfield, Louis Jadot, M. CHAPOUTIER, Robert Oatley, Terroirs et Talents, Vidal, Villa Maria, Zuccardi.