PERSONNEL ANNOUNCEMENT
BC Sales Director – Lesley Brown
It gives Shauna and I great pleasure to announce the senior appointment of Lesley Brown to the position of BC Sales Director with Vintage West Wine and Spirits. As BC Sales Director Lesley will oversee all facets of the BC business and lead the BC sales team as Vintage West enters its next phase of growth and development.
Lesley has had a lengthy and successful career in the BC alcohol beverage industry, bringing 20+ years of extensive experience to the role. Lesley started her career with Mark Anthony brands in 2001, leaving the position of National Accounts to join Trialto Wine Group in 2013 as BC Sales Manager. In 2017 Lesley returned to the Mark Anthony umbrella to oversee the newly acquired Bacchus Group as Regional Sales Manager.
Most recently, Lesley has led HQ Wines and Spirits as VP of Sales and Marketing, overseeing the portfolio of the Okanagan Crush Pad brands and a selection of Import suppliers.
Lesley’s experience of selling large national brands and fine wine & spirits will serve her well with Vintage West. She has extensive experience leading and managing sales organizations, overseeing key account business and working very closely with the on-premise channel.
Throughout her career, Lesley has been incredibly involved in the industry. I have served on the IVSA Board of Directors with Lesley for the past five years, witnessing her extensive knowledge of the business firsthand. She is currently the President of CAPS Canada (Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers) and past President of CAPS BC. She has been on the Vancouver International Wine Festival planning committee since 2018 and on the BC Hospitality Foundation Advisory Council since 2019.
I have personally and professionally known Lesley for 10+ years and I look forward to her skill set making a difference to our business immediately.
Lesley will start with Vintage West on June 14th, please join me in welcoming Lesley to the VW Team!
Sincerely,
Matt Thirlwell
cc. Shauna Hansen