He joins on September 14, 2015 and will report to the ISDX-listed group’s CEO, Frazer Thompson. He is expected to join the board before the end of the year.

Thompson said: “We are delighted to welcome Mark to the team. He joins at an exciting time. There are huge opportunities and challenges ahead in both English wine and beer and we need the very best talent at Chapel Down to ensure that we are able to better build our business and our brands.

“Mark brings a wealth of experience in luxury drinks development as well as the personality and intelligence to help us shape the future of the English wine industry. His appointment will enable us to make our wine and beer business as good as they can be.”