Ari Mervis appointed chairman of Accolade Wines

Former CUB chief executive Ari Mervis has been appointed executive chairman of Accolade Wines.

Accolade was sold to global private equity firm The Carlyle Group last month by previous owner CHAMP Private Equity for $1billion.

Carlyle bought both CHAMP's 80% stake in Accolade and also acquired a 20% stake owned by Constellation Brands.

The Carlyle Group is a global alternative asset manager with $195 billion of assets under management across 317 investment vehicles. Founded in 1987 in Washington, Carlyle has grown into one of the world’s largest and most successful investment firms, with more than 1600 professionals operating in 31 offices in the United States, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia.

“This is a company with great brands and strong market positions, with multiple growth opportunities, particularly in Asian markets,” Carlyle said in a statement at the time of the sale.

Mervis joins Accolade after a 29-year career in the global beverage and related industries, including 27 years with SABMiller, during which time he spent nine years as Managing Director, Asia Pacific and five years as CEO of Foster’s. 

Mervis exited CUB following the global merger of ABusch InBev and SABMiller in a $145 billion deal.

Most recently, Mervis was CEO and MD of dairy processor Murray Goulburn until its sale to Saputo Inc. in May 2018. 

He will officially take up the full-time position at Accolade in August.

Mervis released a statement on the eve of his departure from SABMiller saying: "I have been most fortunate to have spent the last 27 years with SABMiller and have enjoyed a career which has been incredibly enjoyable and rewarding and has given me and my family the opportunity to live and work in a number of locations across four different continents," he added. "Without doubt the greatest reward has been the opportunity to meet so many terrific people; colleagues, customers, business partners and peers that I will be privileged to have has friends in the future. 

"Thank you for your ongoing support and I look forward to catching up with you in the near future."