KWV announces John Loomes as interim COO

The present CEO, Boyce Lloyd, will exit his role early 2024, whereafter Loomes will take over as CEO and the COO role will fall away.

Lloyd became KWV’s first CEO under the new ownership of Vasari in 2016, shortly before the company’s centennial celebrations in 2018.

During his tenure, his pacesetting leadership style helped the company grow its global footprint while also enjoying international acclaim for its wine and spirits. The company also step-changed its brand offering and focus at home, a strategic focus which Loomes will maintain.

“Boyce has done a fantastic job as CEO and I’m honoured to learn from him as I prepare to take on this role in due course,” says a motivated Loomes.

Loomes previously served on the company’s executive, where he led the South African business across all commercial functions.

“John has 25 years of experience and knowledge from various positions in FMCG, spirits, drinks and alcoholic beverage companies which has provided him with a deep understanding of the drivers needed to keep KWV on the right track and to take advantage of existing and new opportunities,” says Lloyd.

Loomes’ looming CEO role comes at an interesting time for the industry. While there is reawakening following the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions the lockdowns imposed, the industry is facing major new challenges that are impacting input costs – this in an already competitive and pressured market.

Navigating logistical and supply chain issues, dwindling stocks of locally made glass and power outages are some of the major drivers impacting suppliers, retailers and consumers.

Addressing these will be one of the first balancing acts for Loomes in the CEO seat. Undeterred, Loomes revealed that they have already mapped a plan to navigate these challenges, noting the strength in KWV’s multifaceted approach to the market.

“A key focus will be to secure consumers from new markets that the company has traditionally not been very strong in, as well as keeping cost impacts as low as possible,” adds Loomes.

“Winning at home will remain one of our strategies and our approach will be to use appropriate brands to light ‘little fires’ or pockets of interest in new markets,” says Loomes.

He comments that while KWV can be viewed as a traditionalist brand, there is also a lot of trust in the brand and many of KWV’s new innovations are proving extremely successful. “KWV represents quality and innovation, and these are attributes we can trade on,” said Loomes.

While the industry still awaits calmer seas, Loomes’ visionary leadership style will provide this award-winning company with a strong compass: “I value transparency, honesty and accountability. I believe in the vision for the company, which is to remain a company that is consumer and customer focused with brands they can trust, and I hope to be held accountable to that.”

About KWV

KWV was founded in 1918, the same year South Africa’s first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela, was born.

In the space of just over a century, the country, along with its wine industry, has seen many changes. KWV played a major role to unite wine producers during the industry’s fledgling years and is privileged to feature prominently in the pages of South Africa’s history.

Today South Africa is a global player in the world of wine and KWV remains an industry leader when it comes to innovation and quality. It also remains committed to its original objective of showcasing the quality of South Africa’s wine products to the world, as is evidenced by its numerous award-winning wines and spirits.

KWV celebrated its centenary in 2018 and, while firmly rooted in South Africa, it has penetrated international markets and now boasts a global footprint with a portfolio of brands in over 100 markets.

With access to grapes from more than 50 farms and 400 vineyard sites across the Western Cape’s Paarl, Stellenbosch, Swartland, Perdeberg, Malmesbury, Darling, Elgin, Robertson and Wellington regions, KWV’s ability as a commercial producer to source the finest quality grapes for a premium expression of the Cape Winelands is unrivalled.

The winemaking team takes meticulous care when selecting grapes to ensure they meet KWV’s exact, quality standards. Grapes are expertly handled and transported to KWV’s cellar facilities in Paarl, an impressive site which covers nearly 32 hectares, at the heart of which stands KWV’s imposing Cathedral Cellar, built in 1930.

The ability to source from such a diverse landscape of sites undoubtedly gives KWV its award-winning edge – an advantage which starts in the vineyard. Guided by an ethos to give consumers only the absolute best, KWV continues to build on its reputation as a pioneer and innovator – and with a mantra that puts the consumer first, KWV continues its lead into the next century.

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