Dean Taylor steps away from Kaddy as CEO

Dean Taylor has stepped down from Kaddy as CEO with Steve Voorma's appointment to the position effective immediately.

Taylor launched Wine Depot a little over three years ago and acquired Kaddy and Parton Wine Group last year as part of the business' strategy to build Australia's largest wholesale beverage marketplace. The business now trades as Kaddy (incorporating Kaddy Fulfilment and Kaddy Marketplace) and in its latest annual report, the group reported an operating revenue was almost six times higher than the year prior at $18.1m but a net loss of $17.46m.

Voorma has a background in consumer and digital blue chip brands, most recently employed as CEO of the point of sale display company, Active Display Group owned by WPP AUNZ. He said: " I joined DW8 because I could see the great potential in the company's innovative and scalable software as a service platform and superior market offerings. I'm excited to have the opportunity to work with the Board and the wider team to lead the business in fulfilling its ambitions to become Australia's leading wholesale beverage marketplace. I believe we have an exciting future in front of us as we move forward to deliver tangible growth and shareholder returns."

Taylor said that it is time to hand the batten to someone else and that the past 12 months have taken a toll on his family and on his health.

He said, "On this journey there have been some amazing highs and also some gut wrenching lows, however at the end of the day what is important is that we have created a unique and innovative platform that the liquor industry needs and wants, which continues to grow rapidly as evidenced by our FY2022 key metrics...

"I feel that the team of 180 plus staff and its shareholders would be better served by someone with fresh energy and ideas who is experienced at managing integrated technology and logistics business of much larger scale."