Berry Bros recruits Tesco’s Dan Jago as CEO

Berry Bros. & Rudd has recruited Dan Jago – former group wine director at UK supermarket giant Tesco – as the company’s new chief executive effective from October.

Dan Jago will join Berry Bros. & Rudd as chief executive from October

Jago will take on overall responsibility of Berry Bros. & Rudd, taking care of the firm’s wine and spirits sectors in addition to international operations.

Jago will work closely with Jeremy Parsons, who will take up the new role as chief operating officer.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Dan Jago as our new chief executive,” said Simon Berry. “I believe he brings one of the best business brains in the industry and we are very lucky that he’s joining us.

“We will benefit hugely from his deep knowledge of the wine, beer and spirits markets as we further develop the expanded scope of our business in the UK and overseas.

“Dan has a huge respect for our history and traditions here at Berry Bros. & Rudd.

“He is perfectly placed to help build an even brighter future for the company.”

The appointments of Jago and Parsons are the final changes to form a new leadership structure within Berry Bros. & Rudd to allow the group to “focus on strong growth and further development” in domestic and international operations.

“I am very proud and excited to be joining Berry Bros. & Rudd at a time of huge opportunity for the company,” said Jago. “It’s a great business, an extraordinary heritage and a treasured brand.

“I have spent most of my working life in the drinks business and, for me, this is perhaps the ultimate job.

“Berrys’ ethos, emphasis on quality, its relationships with producers and its mission to take the best care of its customers are a perfect fit for me.

“I look forward to working with the whole team to make the Berry Bros. & Rudd experience the very best it can be.”

In October last year, Jago was suspended as BWS director along with seven other Tesco directors as part of a financial probe into a £250 million “black hole” in the supermarket’s finances.

Tesco reinstated Jago in March this year into the new position of category group wine director.