5 March 2025

Virgin Wines UK plc

("Virgin Wines", the "Company" or the "Group")

Directorate Change and Notice of Results

Virgin Wines UK plc (AIM: VINO), one of the UK's largest direct-to-consumer online wine retailers, announces that following 22 years with the Group, Graeme Weir is retiring from his role as Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary. 

During his time at Virgin Wines, Graeme has played a huge role in the growth of the business, alongside CEO Jay Wright, including leading a private equity-backed buyout in 2013 and the IPO in 2021. Graeme formally leaves the Board with effect from 4 April 2025.

Graeme will be succeeded as CFO and Company Secretary by Amanda Cherry, current Head of Group Finance, with effect from the same date. Amanda has been at Virgin Wines for 16 years and in her role has been working closely with Graeme and the Board for many years. Amanda is a qualified chartered accountant, having spent time at United Utilities and Interfloor Group.

Jay Wright, Chief Executive Officer at Virgin Wines, commented:

"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."

Graeme Weir, Chief Financial Officer, 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. I remain fully committed to supporting the business and completing a smooth transition. It has been a pleasure to work with Jay and the wider team, and I am confident that Virgin Wines will continue to go from strength to strength."

Notice of results

Further, the Company will announce its Interim Results for the six months ended 27 December 2024 on Wednesday 26 March 2025.

- Ends -

Enquiries:

Regulatory disclosures 

The following information is disclosed pursuant to Rule 17 and Schedule Two paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies in relation to Amanda Cherry, aged 48.

Amanda Cherry holds or has held the following directorships/partnerships in the past five years:

As at the date of this announcement, Amanda Cherry, together with her persons closely associated (as defined under MAR) currently own 31,100 shares in the Company and she holds options over 230,012 shares in the Company.

There is no further information to be disclosed in relation to the director appointment of Amanda Cherry pursuant to Rule 17 and Schedule 2, paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules.

Notes to editors:

About Virgin Wines

Virgin Wines is one of the UK's largest direct-to-consumer online wine retailers. It is an award-winning business which has a reputation for supplying and curating high quality products, excellent levels of customer service and innovative ways of retailing.

The Company was established in 2000 by the Virgin Group and was subsequently acquired by Direct Wines in 2005 before being bought out by the Virgin Wines management team, led by CEO Jay Wright and CFO Graeme Weir, in 2013. It listed on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in 2021.

Virgin Wines is headquartered in Norwich, with two fully bonded, national distribution centres in Preston and Bolton. It stocks over 650 wines sourced from more than 40 trusted winemaking partners and suppliers around the world which it sells to a large active customer base, the majority of whom are on one of the Group's subscription schemes.

The Company drives the majority of its revenue though its fast-growing WineBank service, that has over 137k members, using a variety of marketing channels, as well as through its 30 strong Wine Advisor team, its Wine Plan channel and its Pay As You Go service.

Along with its extensive range of award-winning products, Virgin Wines was delighted that its flagship WineBank service was awarded 'Wine Club of the Year' at the 2024 IWC Awards, was named Online Drinks Retailer of the Year for 2022 at the Drinks Retailing Awards, as well as receiving the bronze award for Contact Centre of the Year at the 2022 UK National Contact Centre Awards. In addition, in 2023 the Group's Head of Buying, Sophie Lord, was named Buyer of the Year by Decanter magazine. 

https://www.virginwinesplc.co.uk