Majestic Wine COO joins industry trade body

Cooke joins the trade body with immediate effect at a time when the industry is facing a number of issues, including consulting with the British and devolved Scottish governments on plans for a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).

The WSTA is also lobbying Westminster for a review of Alcohol Excise Duty, following the largest hikes seen in decades in the last Spring Budget.

Cooke sits on Majestic’s executive board and has played a big part in the retailer’s turnaround since moving back into private ownership in 2019 after separating from Naked Wines.

He joined Majestic from Tesco, where he was previously category director for beers, wines and spirits. He also spent four years as Sainsbury’s head of non-food transformation and then head of buying.

Cooke said: “I’m delighted to be joining the WSTA board. As the UK’s largest specialist wine retailer, Majestic has a responsibility to be a force for good and advocate for positive change across the wine industry, for the benefit of our customers, colleagues and suppliers. I’m looking forward to working with Miles and the rest of the WSTA board to build a sustainable future for the trade.”