The Board of the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation announced  the appointment of Andrew Cheesman as the AWBC’s new chief executive.

“Andrew’s appointment comes at a critical time for the Australian wine sector,” said AWBC Chairman, the Hon John Moore AO.

“As a highly experienced wine industry executive, Andrew has been tasked with forging closer links with the other wine sector organisations to provide coordinated strategic direction and leadership as the sector adjusts to a rapidly changing global wine environment,” continued Mr Moore.

Commenting on his new appointment, Andrew Cheesman said: “I look forward to working closely with the new AWBC board and the other industry organisations, to provide leadership to our stakeholders as we implement a consistent and credible industry strategy. I am committed to the AWBC providing an efficient, agile, stakeholder orientated service and being genuinely accountable for implementation.”

“The appointment of the new chief executive has taken longer than normal as, since the previous chief executive’s departure, a new Board has been appointed and a review of the structure of the national wine sector organisations has been undertaken,” commented Mr Moore.

“We are delighted to welcome an executive of Andrew's calibre” said Mr Moore.

Andrew practised as a Chartered Accountant before joining South Australian listed wine company Petaluma Limited as group accountant in 1998. Following the company’s takeover by Lion Nathan Limited in 2001, he was appointed general manager of Petaluma Wines. He was appointed winery operations director for the Lion Nathan Wine Group in 2004 and then served as strategy manager from 2006.

Andrew Cheesman will commence as chief executive on 24 June 2009.