WSTA appoints new chairman

Michael Saunders - The Captains Table - FT HTSI

The board of directors of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has appointed Michael Saunders, CEO of Bibendum PLB, as its new chairman, following Dan Jago’s three-year term in the role.

Michael has spent his career building Bibendum into the a major independently owned wine and spirits business. He joined Bibendum in 1982, playing a leading role in growing the company to become a market leader in the UK wine industry. The company was bought by Conviviality in May 2016. Michael left the business the following year, returning as chief executive when Bibendum was bought by C&C Group in April last year.

He is also chairman of drinks industry charity The Benevolent, which was set up to support colleagues from the trade facing serious medical or financial hardship or any other workplace or home difficulties.

Michael said he intends to lobby for more support from the UK government to ensure that wine and spirits get fairer treatment from Treasury and its punishing high duty rates.

Michael Saunders, chairman of the WSTA board, said: “Taking the helm as Chairman of the WSTA is both an honour and a challenge, particularly as the wine and spirit trade is potentially facing some of the toughest trading landscape in its history. Dan Jago has been an excellent Chair who has steered the WSTA through choppy waters and he will be a tough act to follow.

“My focus is to ensure that the WSTA continues to meet these challenges head on and offers the best advice and support to guide its members – and Government – through these unchartered waters. It is clear that, in this time of uncertainty, standing side-by-side with industry partners to show Government, and the world, we are united in our aims is essential. The WSTA has not – and will not – shrink from this key task.”

Chief Executive of the WSTA, Miles Beale, said: “We warmly welcome Michael into the hot seat. It is incredibly important to us that the person at the WSTA helm has extensive experience in the wine and spirit trade. Through his work at Bibendum, involvement on the WSTA Board and his chairing of The Benevolent, Michael has all the credentials we need.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dan Jago for being an extremely supportive Chair whose combination of sound advice, direction and delegation has meant the WSTA has been encouraged to grow and move into new ventures. We know that, like Dan, Michael has a great passion for the products which we represent and wants to help them prosper. Everyone at the WSTA looks forward to working with him during what will be a fascinating time of great change for the UK – and the world’s – wine and spirit industry.”

Luxury BnB Magazine

Newsletter Signup. 

News and features for Owners& Managers of Luxury BnBs, Holiday Lets, Guest Houses and Boutique Hotels. 

Invalid email address
We promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
About Dominic Johnson 393 Articles
Publisher, contact dominic@miramedia.co.uk about all commercial enquiries.