Nyetimber appoints Rolls-Royce’s Richard Carter as CEO

Nyetimber is delighted to announce the appointment of Richard Carter as Chief Executive Officer of the company with effect from July 2022.

Richard joins Nyetimber from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars where he served on the Board of the company for nearly 14 years as Director of Global Communications. During his time at Rolls-Royce, Richard played a central role in strategically redefining and repositioning Rolls-Royce as a globally recognised pinnacle luxury brand. Richard’s depth of understanding of luxury brand management and his considerable worldwide marketing, communication and management skills are key assets that he will bring to Nyetimber as the company builds and expands into the future.

Richard will take over as CEO from Nyetimber’s owner and sole shareholder, Eric Heerema, who will assume the role of Chairman of the Board and continue to play an active role in guiding and directing Nyetimber into the future. Current Managing Director, Hans Sleeuwenhoek will also join the Board and hand over his current role to Richard.

In welcoming Richard as CEO and Board Member, Eric Heerema said: “I am delighted to announce and welcome Richard as CEO. Knowing him well, and given his extensive experience, Hans and I feel confident that Richard will continue building on the success that Nyetimber has achieved and will contribute to the further growth of this unique brand. Over the recent years Nyetimber has gone from strength to strength, yet we still have to complete crucial stages of our ambitious mission, and with Richard at the helm we are confident of achieving our ambitions.”

Richard Carter, CEO of Nyetimber, commented: “I have admired Nyetimber for many years as the leader and pioneer in the English Sparkling Wine movement. Harnessing my extensive knowledge of the luxury market I look forward to driving the business forward through the next stage of its development.”

Nyetimber achieved a record year in 2021 in both sales and production. To go along with its largest ever harvest, overall sales were up 57% on the previous year. In 2021 Nyetimber exported 15% of its production – this is up from 10% in the previous year. Nyetimber was also a key part of The Queens Platinum Jubilee being served at the Guild Hall reception after the St Paul’s Cathedral service and onboard The Queen’s Royal Barge during the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in London in 2012.

Nyetimber is the acknowledged pioneer and leading producer of English Sparkling Wine. Situated in the rural heart of the South of England, Nyetimber uses only the finest estate-grown fruit to craft award-winning world-renowned, traditional method sparkling wines, combining science, state of the art technology and winemaking artistry, all in the pursuit of perfection.

About Nyetimber: For over 30 years, Nyetimber has had a single aim: crafting exceptional English Sparkling Wine that rivals the very best in the world. A true pioneer, Nyetimber was the first producer of English Sparkling Wine to exclusively grow the three celebrated grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Regarded as England’s finest sparkling wine, Nyetimber is made from one hundred percent estate-grown grapes. Owner and Chief Executive, Eric Heerema, works together with Head Winemaker Cherie Spriggs and Winemaker Brad Greatrix to produce wine of extraordinary elegance and quality. Cherie Spriggs was named ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ at the International Wine Challenge 2018 – one of the most highly-regarded wine competitions in the world. She was the first woman as well as the first person outside the Champagne region of France to win this prestigious award.