David Cox has stepped down from his post as European director of New Zealand Winegrowers.

According to a statement from the body, Cox is now planning to pursue other interests and projects.

Chris Yorke, global marketing director for New Zealand Winegrowers said: “We will be recruiting for a successor to drive our exciting projects in Europe.

“In the UK, New Zealand Wine is in good shape – we are showing the biggest growth in value share for a New World country (Nielsen April 2012) and at £6.33 have the highest average retail price per bottle (Nielsen April 2012).

“In mainland Europe New Zealand Winegrowers is working in partnership with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to launch and build the New Zealand Wine brand in Germany, Netherlands and Sweden. We will be looking for an experienced, credible wine marketer who wants to be part of the next stage of New Zealand wine’s growth in Europe.”

Cox has held the position since May 2009, prior to that he spent 13 years as the managing director Wines Europe for Brown-Forman Beverages UK. Between 1990 and 1995 Cox was the export director for drinks distributor Matthew Clark.

Cox said: “After three years in the role, I just thought that the time was right to move on. It is the beginning of our new financial year and so it was an appropriate time to depart. There are other opportunities that I would like to consider and I will take some time to assess these. I do not have a concrete role to go and my thoughts on other avenues have not crystallised just yet. However, I am looking forward to what the future brings”.

Bernard Budel, European market manager at Villa Maria Estate, described Cox back in March as “an ardent professional with a vast knowledge base, David is one of the few personalities in wine that can command such respect due to his achievements and knowledge, and yet be so willing to get his hands dirty in the often unglamorous task of promoting New Zealand wine”.