Mouton will take up the role on 31 March 2025, before officially joining the board in early April following the publication of Chapel Down’s full-year results.
As a qualified chartered accountant, Mouton has held senior roles with several firms across the food and drink industry, including most recently as CFO and a board director at tea manufacturer Typhoo.
He has also previously worked as group finance director at tonic brand Fever-Tree and as head of finance at private equity firm Natural Capital Partners.
Commenting on the news, Mouton said: “I am excited to be joining Chapel Down as it enters the next phase of its growth for customers and shareholders. The Company has a clear and compelling vision and I look forward to leveraging my recent experience at both Fever-Tree and Typhoo Tea to deliver it.”
Touching on the departing CFO Rob Smith who will leave the firm in April, Mouton added: “Rob leaves an invaluable legacy in strong Finance talent, technology platforms as well as the AIM listing, and I will be working closely with him and the Chapel Down leadership team to ensure a smooth transition.”
The appointment remains subject to customary regulatory due diligence, with a further announcement confirming the news set to made prior to his first day on the job.
Based in Kent, Chapel Down produces a range of sparkling and still wines across its vineyards, 750 acres of which are fully productive.
“We are delighted to have appointed Louan, who has an excellent track record of leading cross-functional teams through significant growth and transformation in publicly traded and private international businesses,” said Chapel Down chair Martin Glenn.
“He is a dynamic leader of high-performing finance teams and I am confident that, alongside our new CEO James Pennefather, he will continue the delivery of Chapel Down’s development and growth.”
Pennefather took on the role of CEO at the start of last month after joining from The Lakes Distillery Company.
