Nick Pringle has taken over as Sula’s Chief Operating Officer (COO). In his new capacity at India’s leading wine company and fastest growing alcobev company, Nick will work closely with Rajeev Samant, Founder and CEO, Sula Vineyards, while overlooking the company’s strategy and operations.
Nick brings to the table extensive experience in creating a significant category across emerging markets for wine and spirits consumption and he strongly believes that numerous opportunities lie in the Indian alcobev industry.
On his appointment, Nick said,“India is a very young and dynamic market. It has immense potential to grow in the wine sector and the enthusiasm, with great people that Sula possesses is infectious! Despite barriers, Sula entered the wine industry here in India and carved a niche for itself as both, the best and leading wine company. Sula recognized the changing industry trends and launched Sula Selections and Artisan Spirits to diversify itself, becoming a genuine front runnerin the industry. I am proud to be associated with a brand that has turned things around for the industry altogether and look forward to creating more milestones for us to achieve together.”
Rajeev Samant commented, “I am delighted that Nick Pringle is joining Sula as COO. Nick brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles at Accolade Wines and AB InBev and is the right person to help steer Sula Vineyards, one of Asia’s fastest growing wine and alcobev companies, to even greater heights!”
Nick has over 20 years of experience in the wine and spirits industry. He spent 12 years at AB InBev, before joining Constellation to assume a variety of roles. In his most recent role at Accolade Wines, was in charge of emerging markets and responsible for travel retail relationships across regions spanning Africa, the Middle East, South and Central America, Asia Sub-Continent and Southern Europe. Key markets for growth from his regions were Central and South America, Africa and India. He was working in partnership with Sula, at a time when an increasing number of Indian consumers were experimenting and progressing from beer and spirits to the wine category. In 2016, Nick was appointed as Head of Accolade Wines for China, a significantly growing market for the company, before moving to Sula this June.
Prior to entering the wine and spirits industry, Nick was a professional cricketer and played for his home county, Somerset, from 1986 to 1991. A thorough sportsman, he also used to play rugby and he loves watching football. Nick is a fitness enthusiast and also takes keen interest in music and travelling.
Given his passion for both wine and business, Nick deems himself fortunate to travel the world working with a team of people who maintain and develop markets that are diverse in terms of geography and culture but share a common theme—a passion for wine from all parts of the world.