Sparkling wine producer Gusbourne has appointed a winemaker at a rival vineyard as its new chief executive.

Charlie Holland will lead the company, whose majority shareholder is Tory peer Lord Ashcroft, after four years at Ridgeview based in West Sussex.

The 39-year-old will also be chief winemaker at the business, which increased sales by 40% to £266,000 in the first half of the year.

His appointment comes after previous chief executive Ben Walgate resigned in June after nearly four years at the Appledore-based producer.

The company also announced the appointment of Mike Paul, 67, as deputy chairman, a man with 30 years’ experience in the wine industry, who will also head up sales and marketing.

Jon Pollard, 40, the firm’s vineyard manager since it planted its first grapes in 2004, has been promoted to the board as chief operating officer.

Chairman Andrew Weeber said: “Each of them bring their strong professional skills and experience with them and their appointments will ensure that all key functional areas of the business are represented on the board.”