Beadles is new WSTA director

Published: 23 July, 2008

The long wait for the Wine & Spirits Trade Association (WSTA) to name a successor to Quentin Rappoport has ended with the appointment of the 34-year-old managing director of the British Retail Consortium, Jeremy Beadles, as chief executive. He worked as a solicitor for eight years prior to joining the BRC.

Beadles takes up his new position as of 1 January 2006. He commented: 'I am really looking forward to leading the WSTA, working with the Board and the committed executive team to improve the profile of the sector, recruit new members, develop new membership services and deliver significant value for membership.'

Barry Sutton, chairman of the WSTA, said the body was 'delighted' with the appointment. 'The sector needs a strong trade association, and I believe Jeremy is the right man to take the WSTA forward.'

One of Beadles' most urgent tasks in his new position will be to quell the increasing disillusion in the trade about the body's role. As one industry insider, who has been heavily involved with the body over the years, told Harpers this week: 'There has been a hiatus between Quentin's departure and the arrival of Jeremy, and there has been little activity in that time. There's been no lobbying; they've lost the ear of Westminster.'

Printer friendly version