McKee moves from Moet to Taittinger in UK

Kevin McKee has become UK director for Family Taittinger working with the Champagne house’s sole agent in the UK – Hatch Mansfield.

The role will include consulting with all sectors of the wine industry, with a primary focus in the on-trade, to help both trade and consumers fully connect with the brand, and develop new opportunities for the house.

McKee says: “I am delighted to be working with a family owned house with such a rich history, world-wide reputation and legion of Champagne aficionados.  I have been overwhelmed by the complimentary reactions from my many contacts within the drinks industry to both Taittinger and Hatch Mansfield.  It’s going to be a new challenge, but with such outstanding wines and backing of the great team in Hatch Mansfield, a challenge I am very much looking forward to.”

McKee joins from Moet Hennessy, where as a senior national account manager he was responsible for major national on-trade groups and wholesale routes to market.

 He adds: “I am a great admirer of the light and elegant Chardonnay based wines of Champagne Taittinger and believe their range of cuvées offers an outstanding opportunity for a breadth of listings that few other houses can match.  I know the family would only put their name to wines of commensurate quality and style.” 

Patrick McGrath, MD, Hatch Mansfield comments: “Kevin will be a great asset  to the Hatch Mansfield team and brings with him a wealth of experience which will help us strengthen our position in the UK on trade in particular.”

McKee left college in 1984 with an Honours degree in Biochemistry but instead chose a career in the drinks industry working with Grolsch, Jim Beam brands and Seagrams before joining Ruinart in 2001.  While with Ruinart he worked to grow the brand outside its London heartland and made great inroads with top luxury hotels and restaurants across the south of England. From here he moved to Moet Hennessy in 2006.

(This new role is an adaptation of the ambassador role previously held by Justin Llewelyn who sadly passed away in 2012).

6 January 2014 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor