The soft drinks firm, whose brands include Vimto, Feel Good Drinks and Levi Roots, announced the appointment alongside its interim results, on 17 July. The financial figures indicated double-digit growth in sales and low single-digit operating profit growth.
Milne joined Nichols as the commercial director for Vimto Soft Drinks in July 2013. He was appointed to the company’s board on 1 January 2016.
Worked at Coca-Cola
He has extensive experience in the soft drinks industry, having previously worked at Coca-Cola Enterprises as sales director for the northern region and, before that, as GlaxoSmithKline trading director.
“We would like to congratulate Andrew on his promotion, which reflects his hard work and dedication to the business,” said Nichols chief executive Marnie Millard. “We are excited to see the next stage of his development, as his new role allows him to cover a broader remit.”
In other personnel changes, after 14 years with the group and 10 years as group chief financial officer, Tim Croston revealed his intention to step down from the board by 30 June 2020.
Still drinks strong
Nichols’ results for the half year to 30 June highlighted operating profit up 2.1%, from £13.1m in the same period last year to £13.3m on group revenue up 10.2% from £65m to £71.6m. Sales of still drinks proved particularly strong, up 11.6% to £33.9m across the group, driven by Vimto dilute in the UK and Vimto concentrate sales to the Middle East.
Overall sales had increased by 6.2% in the UK, with sales to the Middle East and Africa both showing strong double-digit increases compared to the 2018 interim period.
Non-executive chairman John Nichols said: “Nichols has delivered another good trading performance in the first half of 2019, with growth across both the UK and international markets.”
