Robert Foye, CEO of Accolade Wines, Australia’s second-largest wine producer, has announced his departure from the company. The American executive, who spent nine years between Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) and Accolade, said he would be returning to Texas. Under his leadership, both companies experienced notable success in the Chinese market.
According to The Australian Financial Review, Foye has resigned as CEO of Accolade Wines, though details of his next move remain unclear. Accolade’s staff were informed of his departure by the company’s board.
Foye previously worked at Coca-Cola for 22 years before joining TWE in 2014, where he held several senior roles, including President of the Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America regions, and later COO. During his tenure, he oversaw significant growth for the Penfolds brand in China. His connections within the American basketball world also helped secure TWE’s Wolf Blass as the first official wine partner of NBA China. Wolf Blass is now slated for sale by TWE.
In January 2019, Foye left TWE following what the company said was “an internal breach“, though specifics were not disclosed. However, TWE’s management expressed satisfaction with overall performance at the time. Foye joined Accolade Wines in March 2020 as COO, and was promoted to CEO within two months. His appointment aligned with Accolade’s focus on expanding in the Chinese market.
However, by the end of 2020, Australian wine exports were effectively blocked from China due to anti-dumping tariffs, curtailing Accolade’s presence in the country. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these challenges with border closures limiting market opportunities.
In 2023, Accolade partnered with NBA superstar James Harden to launch the J-Harden wine. Harden’s promotion of the wine on Chinese influencer Xiao Yangge’s livestream was a viral success, selling 16,000 bottles in just 10 seconds.
During Foye’s tenure, Accolade also underwent a significant change in ownership. The company, previously owned by Carlyle Group, is now controlled by a consortium of investors led by Bain & Co. Earlier this year, Accolade entered merger talks with Australian Vintage Ltd, though the negotiations ultimately fell through. More recently, Accolade’s owners agreed to acquire several wine brands, including Jacob’s Creek, from Pernod Ricard.
“With the Pernod Ricard Wines merger announced, Robert has decided that now is an appropriate time to focus on the next stage of his career and to relocate permanently back to Texas to spend more time with his family,” the Accolade board told staff.
Accolade Chairman Ben Clarke will take on the role of Executive Chairman starting September 2 to “lead the company into its next phase of development.”
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