Sopexa marketing chief walks out over cutbacks

The UK marketing director of Sopexa, the consultancy body for the French food and wine industry, has resigned because of cutbacks in her budget.

Nicola Peers left the company late last week. Two more junior members of the marketing staff of 20 will also leave.

A Sopexa source says: “The company is going through financial problems. The strength of the pound does not help.”

Sopexa handles a range of French produce including Vin de Pays wines, Côtes du Rhone, French cheeses, AOC wines, and a variety of apples under the brand name Le Crunch.

The company is 30 per cent-owned by the French Ministry of Agriculture; the other 70 per cent is in the hands of private investors.

Peers joined the company seven years ago as a marketing manager. She has been marketing director for the past six years.

She does not have a job to go to, but she is understood to be looking at marketing roles outside food and drink, and is also keen to take up a post with an international focus.

Sopexa was formerly called Food & Wine From France, and has 40 offices in 34 countries.

In total, it has about 50 clients, and its other activities include public relations, promotions, direct marketing, exhibitions, tastings and sponsorship.