Founders First has appointed Yolanda Uys to the newly created role of Marketing & Innovation Director.

Mark Haysman, CEO of Founders First, said Uys was a highly experienced innovator and marketer in liquor retailing. She has been Coles Group’s General Manager Marketing for the past three years, leading the marketing strategy for Coles Liquor and successfully relaunched the Liquorland and Vintage Cellars brands.

Uys said: “Australia has some of the world’s most talented craft producers and I can’t wait to help them accelerate their growth and consolidate their brands on a local, national and international stage.

“Coupled with a world class team of highly talented functional experts, under the leadership of Mark and supported by a forward-thinking Board, this is an unmissable opportunity.”

Prior to this, Uys was Woolworths Group’s Head of Marketing for Dan Murphy’s for five years where she championed projects such as the Dan Murphy’s Loyalty Program, and The Dan Murphy’s Cellar on Chapel Street.

Haysman added: “Yolanda brings a wealth of industry knowledge, experience and diversity having worked not only here in Australia but abroad in South Africa, London, Barcelona and Budapest, building world class brands across both retail and FMCG.

“With Yolanda’s passion for building people and teams, and her proven track record in delivering ambitious marketing strategy outcomes, both in a physical and digital sense, we can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”

Uys commences her role at Founders First in early November.