Berry Bros & Rudd experiences a change in management, with Rob Symington assuming the Managing Director position at the esteemed Symington Family Estates.
Rob Symington Moves to Berry Bros & Rudd as UK Managing Director
Rob Symington, a fifth-generation member of the Symington family and co-CEO of Symington Family Estates (SFE), has made a significant move in the wine industry. In September 2025, he will join Berry Bros & Rudd (BBR) as the UK Managing Director, overseeing sales, customer strategy, and marketing.
Symington's tenure at SFE has been marked by his leadership in commercial strategy, sales and marketing, wine tourism, people and culture, and sustainability efforts. Under his guidance, SFE expanded into new wine regions such as Alentejo, Vinho Verde, and Hampshire, and implemented innovation programs across port brands. His stewardship has been instrumental in modernizing the family business while respecting its heritage.
The appointment consolidates the partnership between SFE and BBR, following their joint acquisition of Hambledon Wine Estate in 2023. Symington remains chair of Hambledon, which is the first commercial vineyard in England since the Reformation. This move marks the first time the Symington family has made wine outside Portugal, while Berry Bros is making wine rather than merely selling it.
As Symington steps down as co-CEO of SFE, he will remain a non-executive director there and with Fells, the family's UK importer. His move to BBR is seen as bringing fresh strategic and creative leadership to the merchant while continuing to foster the relationship between both firms.
The new hire builds on Berry Bros & Rudd's expansion to the US, with Jamie Ritchie appointed as managing director of international and auctions. This strategic link between a historic family wine business and a prestigious fine wine merchant promises to combine heritage with innovation in the UK and beyond.
During his time at SFE, Symington spearheaded the consolidation of SFE's sustainability strategy, resulting in the attainment of the B-Corp certification in 2019. He also oversaw the opening of Matriarca, a private members club in Porto, which houses a restaurant, wine bar, cellar shop, cocktail bar, and wine academy.
SFE's transformation under Symington's leadership is evident in the release of its first comprehensive sustainability report in 2024, anchored by initiatives such as Altano Rewilding. The company also expanded its culinary offerings with the opening of two restaurants at Quinta do Bomfim, overseen by Michelin-starred chef Pedro Lemos.
In addition, SFE opened a new visitor centre at Quinta da Fonte Souto in 2021 and produces wine at Quinta da Fonte Souto, Casa de Rodas, and holds a 50% stake in Hambledon, in partnership with Berry Bros & Rudd. Four Port houses, five Douro wine brands, and their UK import business are managed by members of the Symington family.
With Rupert Symington taking on co-CEO responsibilities at SFE, the fifth-generation representatives of the family have been instrumental in bringing SFE's transformation. Berry Bros & Rudd announced the appointment of Rob Symington as its new UK managing director, effective from September. This move symbolizes a strategic link between a historic family wine business and a prestigious fine wine merchant, combining heritage with innovation in the UK and beyond.
Rob Symington's appointment as UK Managing Director at Berry Bros & Rudd signifies a strategic blend of traditional wine industry knowledge and modern business finance, as he brings his extensive experience in commercial strategy, sustainability, and wine tourism to the merchant. With Symington's fresh leadership and the ongoing expansion of Berry Bros & Rudd into new markets, there is a clear promise of a dynamic synergy between investment and the wine industry.
In this new role, Rob Symington is expected to leverage his expertise in wine business, aiming to grow not just Berry Bros & Rudd, but also the overall wine investment sector in the UK and potentially beyond. This move represents a significant step forward in the wine industry's finance and business landscape.
