Accolade Wines CEO Robert Foye has left the Australian group, owner of brands including Jam Shed and Hardys.

Foye first joined Accolade in 2020 as chief operating officer, transferring to the chief executive role later that same year.

In a statement, Accolade Wines said Foye's decision was made following the sale of Pernod Ricard's wine brands to the group's owner Australian Wine Holdco Limited (AWE), announced in July.

The group said: "With the Pernod Ricard Wines merger announced, Robert has decided that now is an appropriate time to focus on the next stage of his career and to relocate permanently back to Texas to spend more time with his family."

Ben Clarke, who was appointed chairman of Accolade Wines in April, has been picked to "lead the business" as executive chairman. Just Drinks has asked Accolade to confirm whether it also plans to recruit a replacement chief executive and when this is expected to take place.

Clarke's experience includes working as CEO of Burton's Biscuit Co. in the UK, and chairman of Australian better-for-you food and drink distributor Soulfresh.

Subject to regulatory approval, the deal between Pernod and AWE is expected to go through in the first half of next year, the Jameson whisky maker said at the time of the acquisition announcement.

The deal will include the brands Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate and Campo Viejo, plus seven wineries.

Accolade's portfolio includes Jam Shed, Hardys, Mud House, and Grant Burge.

The wine assets being sold produce more than ten million nine-litre cases of wines a year, Pernod said.

The Chivas Regal whisky distiller said the transaction would see it “sell its wine division to a player of global scale, with a route to market solely dedicated to the wine industry”.

It added the “wine brands will benefit from the focus required to achieve their potential, reinforce their position, and seize new opportunities around the world”.

The Paris-headquartered group will keep wine assets including Etchart in Argentina, Chateau Sainte Marguerite in France and Kenwood Vineyards in the US.