Freedom Brewery, the award-winning, pioneering lager brewer, has announced the appointment of James Coyle as Executive Chairman. Coyle, the former managing director of Edinburgh craft brewer, Innis & Gunn, has a wealth of experience within the beer market, having held previous roles as Deputy Managing Director of Marston’s Beer Company and Sales Director of Wychwood Brewery. He has assumed the new role with immediate effect.

The Wine Society’s Chairman of 12 years, Sarah Evans, is retiring and Alan Black has been appointed as the new Chairman. Steve Finlan, chief executive, said: “It has been a real pleasure working with Sarah since I joined The Society two years ago. She has brought a wealth of experience and insight, but more importantly a real passion for our Society, from vineyard to member,…

WineGB has announced a number of board changes. Simon Robinson has announced that he is to step down as WineGB’s chairman at the beginning of August, after four years at the helm. The position will be filled by Sam Linter, Managing Director and Head Winemaker at Bolney Wine Estate, who has served on the WineGB Board for some two years. Robinson said: “Some time ago,…

Off-Piste Wines has secured investment from business investor BGF to support further growth. The investment gives BGF a minority stake in the company. The funds will be used to develop Off-Piste’s long-term growth strategy, including the expansion of its wine range and development of new partnerships and international distribution. Off-Piste’s portfolio of brands is led by Most Wanted, its premium mainstream range sourced from around…

The Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has appointed Michael Saunders, the chief executive of Bibendum PLB, as its new chairman of the board. The last person to hold the position of chairman was Dan Jago, who had a three-year term in the role. Saunders, who is also chairman of drinks industry charity, The Benevolent, joined Bibendum in 1982. The company was bought by Conviviality…

Chris Porter is to step down from the role of chief executive of drinks industry charity, The Benevolent. Before his appointment in January 2018 Porter had been actively involved with the charity for more than 20 years and has been a trustee on its board since 2010, and its chairman in 2013 and 2014. He was the first chief executive in the charity’s 133-year history…

WineGB has announced that David Parkinson will be stepping down from the role of chief executive due to health reasons. Parkinson will remain on the WineGB Board as non-executive director, and he will also continue to be involved in long-term communications and marketing projects. Peter Gladwin, WineGB’s Vice Chairman will step into the role of non-executive managing director and together with Simon Robinson, chairman, will…