Schubert named Diageo wine president

NAPA -- Global alcoholic beverage giant Diageo today said Claudia Schubert will become president of the Napa-based Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines division.

[caption id="attachment_58410" align="alignleft" width="200" caption="Claudia Schubert"][/caption]

Ms. Schubert, currently general manager for West control states, is set to fill the top spot for the division on Sept. 1, when current President Greg Kryder becomes chief financial officer for Diageo's North American business. She will also be part of the executive team for the continent.

"Claudia has been instrumental in shaping and implementing our new Control States Route-to-Market strategy while delivering strong business results," said Larry Schwartz, president of Diageo North America. "Most recently, she led the transition of our Washington spirits business from a control to an open state. Claudia's broad experience combined with her knowledge of the wine business will enable her to effectively lead the DC&E team as we continue our renewed wine strategy."

She started at Diageo in 2002 as director of financial planning and analysis for Diageo Chateau & Estate (www.diageowines.com), working for Mr. Kryder, who joined the company the same year as vice president of finance for the division. For eight years she was vice president for marketing and innovation. Two years ago, she was appointed general manager for the Pacific Northwest. After earning an MBA at Harvard Business School, she worked in business strategy for Boston Consulting Group for three years before Diageo.

Three years after coming to Diageo, Mr. Kryder was appointed senior vice president of finance for U.S. spirits. In 2008, he moved to Paris as finance director for Diageo Continental Europe then to London about a year later as finance director for Diageo Great Britain.

Last October, Mr. Kryder was named president of the Napa-based wine division.

Mr. Kryder replaces current North America CFO Chris Davies, who is moving to Diageo operations in the United Kingdom.

Diageo wine brands from Napa Valley, Sonoma, Central Coast, France, New Zealand and Australia include Beaulieu Vineyard, Sterling Vineyards, Sterling Vintner's Collection, Rosenblum Cellars, Chalone Vineyard, Acacia Vineyard and Provenance Vineyards. The division also imports classified Bordeaux and Burgundy estate-bottled wines.

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