“Aris helped develop a clarity of strategic objectives, KPIs, as well as dashboards and performance reporting around international sales strategy. I much enjoyed working with him.”

Paul Lindley OBE, Founder Ella’s Kitchen. Author Little Wins. Chair London Child Obesity Taskforce. Chair Robert F Kennedy Human Rights UK

Home

Since 2003, we specialize in interim management consultancy for the global food & drink industry.

We address specific challenges or strategic projects, such as filling leadership gaps, managing new product launches, optimizing supply chains, implementing sustainability initiatives, or responding to crises like product recalls.

We provide expertise and an objective perspective for a defined period, offering a flexible, cost-effective solution that drives immediate, measurable results in critical situations.

Our clients are food & drink companies in on and off-trade markets.

We help them to build their brands, grow new markets, manage change and deliver profitable strategic initiatives.

We are frequently consulted through expert networks such as Alphasights, Third Bridge, Gerson Lehrman, Clarity, Maven and Coleman. In addition, we are often hired by private equity firms to carry out commercial due diligence for acquisitions in the food & drink industry.

Usually, one of our senior consultants will join the Board and/or MT of our client and continue to support the business and be available to the general management to help on any issue.

“I have worked with many brand executives in my career. Few of them have ever compared with Aris Derksen. Aris combines his talent for international business development with an extraordinary sense of strategy and timing. Aris is critical to insuring that the competitive positioning and global brand messaging win the day”

Julie Buckley, Head of Buying at ELICITE

About Us

Winter Business Group (WBG) was founded in 2003 by its current CEO, Aris Derksen who has been involved in the international food & drink business since 1989.

Aris is a growth-focused C suite sales leader and business development executive with 25+ years’ accomplishment in the international food & drinks industry.

He has a proven ability to develop new sales opportunities by building strong profitable relationships with global customers and suppliers and maximise revenue and profit margin targets for WBG’s clients.

“I worked with Aris on various occasions and would recommend him for all sales & marketing strategy and performance consultancy in the international drinks industry.”

David Newlin, President, Newlin Associates; High Touch Senior Executive Search in Wine

Services

Strategic Projects:
Launching new products, commissioning new factories, or implementing new systems.

Operational Challenges:
Addressing gaps in management due to secondment or long-term absence, or managing restructuring initiatives.

Process Optimization:
Improving productivity, supply chain efficiency, or implementing new technologies.

Compliance and Sustainability:
Meeting new regulatory requirements, implementing sustainable practices, and achieving certifications.

Succession Planning:
Providing transitional leadership and supporting the planning for future leadership roles.

“Aris has all of the traits you would need in an Executive Director, especially as our organization looked to expand into new business territory. I heartily recommend Aris and would be only too happy to work with him again.”

Luke Bennett, Chief Financial Officer at Frugalpac

Clients

  • Quinto Nut, Almond Processors, Cordoba, Spain
  • Blue Diamond Growers (Almond Breeze), Sacramento, California
  • Route66 Beer, London
  • Toast Ale, London
  • Frugalpac Ltd. Brightwell, Suffolk
  • Dolium Kegs, Antwerp, Belgium
  • Thielmann Containers & Kegs A.G., Zug, Switzerland
  • Close Brothers Brewery Rentals Ltd. Ringwood, Hampshire, UK
  • Arnon Grunberg Wines & Marques de Griñon, S.A. Madrid
  • Jakob Schuler Wine Group A.G. Schwyz, Switzerland
  • Castello di Meleto, Gaiole in Chianti, Italy
  • Distell. Ltd. Stellenbosch, South Africa
  • Vinites, B.V., Haarlem, Holland
  • Entrecanales, Domecq & Hijos, Madrid
  • Zamora Company International, S.A. Cartagena, Spain
  • Bodegas Garvey Port, Sherry, Brandy & Fine Wines, Jerez, Spain

“Aris brings a depth and breadth of knowledge and experience from the drinks industry that truly makes him an asset to ownership and senior international business development management.”

Graduate Planet CIC (UK)

Testimonials

“Aris is an experienced management consultant, specializing in international brand building and business development. His knowledge of the drinks industry and international sales and language skills are well honed and tested. His work at Toast Ale helped develop a clarity of strategic objectives, KPIs, as well as dashboards and performance reporting around international sales strategy. I much enjoyed working with him”.

Paul Lindley OBE, Founder Ella’s Kitchen. Author Little Wins. Chair London Child Obesity Taskforce. Chair Robert F Kennedy Human Rights UK

“Aris is a highly professional management consultant specializing in international business development for wines, beers and spirits. His knowledge of the wine, spirits and beer industry, as well as international sales and marketing and his language skills are very strong. I worked with Aris on various occasions and would recommend him for all sales strategy and performance consultancy in the international drinks industry”

David Newlin, President, Newlin Associates; High Touch Senior Executive Search in Wine

“I have worked with many brand executives in my career. Few of them have ever compared with Aris Derksen. Aris combines his talent for international business development with an extraordinary sense of strategy and timing. Aris is critical to ensuring that the competitive positioning and global brand messaging win the day.”

Julie Buckley, Head of Buying at ELICITE

“I have had the privilege of working with Aris in his role as Director of Global Expansion for Toast Ale. Aris definitely stands out as one of the most strategic, rigorous and professional colleagues I have worked with. Aris brings a depth and breadth of knowledge and experience from the food & drink industry that truly makes him an asset to ownership and senior international business development management. He is committed to excellence and sets high standards for the organization. I would welcome the opportunity to work with Aris again.”

Kate Evans, Managing Director at Graduate Planet CIC

“Aris was hired by Frugalpac as Executive Director to prepare the road to market for our innovative packaging solutions. Aris´ management style is extremely accessible, and he is a very hands-on administrator. He has all of the traits you would need in an Executive Director, especially as our organization looked to expand into new business territory. Aris is fearless in his business approach and his instincts are impeccable. He helped to bring our start-up company to the next level and managed to do it while still making friends in the industry. Aris has been an excellent Director for our company. I heartily recommend Aris and would be only too happy to work with him again”.

Luke Bennett, Chief Financial Officer at Frugalpac

“Aris is fearless in his business approach and his instincts are impeccable. He helped to bring our start-up company to the next level and managed to do it while still making friends in the industry. Aris has been an excellent Director for our company.”

Frugalpac, Suffolk, UK

Locations

From our offices in London and Madrid we cover the UK, the EU, and North America.

Winter Business Group U.K., Ltd
Registered office address:
65 London Wall, London,
United Kingdom, EC2M 5TU

Winter Business Group Spain, S.L.
Registered office address:
Colonia de Camorritos
Camino de Abajo 1
28470 Cercedilla, Madrid
Spain

“Aris definitely stands out as one of the most strategic, rigorous and professional colleagues I have worked with. He is committed to excellence and sets high standards for the organization. I would welcome the opportunity to work with Aris again.”

Kate Evans, Managing Director at Graduate Planet CIC

Contact

Do drop Aris a note to see if he can help you.

Or call him on +34 669 29 19 08.

He will respond swiftly (asking a few clarifying questions if he needs to) and just that one contact might change everything!

There’s no obligation, and there’ll be no hard sell. Aris will email you to explain how he might help you, and what sort of budget would be required.

“Aris is a great guy to work with and has exceptional expertise in the global drinks business. We worked together on a contract brewing project for one of Aris’ clients and he demonstrated consistently solid work ethic and full dedication to all details involved. He’s not only a very reliable and forward thinking manager but also an inspiring team player. I would love to work with him again.”

Matt Graham, Sales Director at Moosehead Breweries, St. John, New Brunswick, Canada

Overview

  • Company size: 2-10 employees
  • Privately Held
  • Founded: 2003
  • Locations: London, Madrid