Jago looks to grow WSTA membership and "unite the trade" ahead of Brexit

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 07 November, 2016

New WSTA chairman Dan Jago has said he wants to strengthen the trade body by including more members in order to face the "monumental" challenge posed by Brexit head-on.

Increasing the trade organisation's membership to represent more producers, importers, exporters, transporters and sellers, is one of the ways Jago plans to deal with the impact of Brexit on the UK wine and spirits industry as per his first address to the WSTA's executive board in October.

"By working with members from all corners the wine and spirit trade, we can unite as an industry to be more effective when facing the challenges ahead," he said, adding: "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 key."

Four months on from the referendum, the wine and spirits trade must continue to flow during the Brexit negotiations and into the new trading environment, the Berry Bros & Rudd CEO said.

Brexit has dominated conversations about the future of the trade since the June result sent shockwaves through Britain and abroad; but Jago has warned not to let it completely overshadow day-to-day business, stressing that the role of the WSTA will to continue to "help members through every labelling, regulatory, importing, exporting or market query as well as ensuring the voice of the industry was heard within Whitehall and Parliament".

Jago took over from Denis O'Flynn in September following the latter's departure as MD of Pernod Ricard.

His first meeting with the board took place in October, when he outlined his own Brexit strategy: "The reality is that we are now facing one of the toughest eras the wine and spirits trade has ever faced. Brexit is a monumental challenge for the trade, which is already having a potentially damaging impact on the industry.

"My focus is to ensure that the WSTA meet these challenges head-on and that we are extremely vigilant in looking after the members' trade interests. It is incredibly important that the WSTA is in the best position to help guide government on how to protect the flow of trade, secure jobs and allow our sector to continue to grow."

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