Retail Drinks Australia has had a positive start to 2020, announcing Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) as a new Corporate Member.
CEO Julie Ryan said that she was thrilled to announce CUB as the latest addition to Retail Drinks’ membership and looks forward to working with them to effectively support the liquor retail industry.
“As an iconic brand and supplier of some of Australia’s most instantly recognisable beverage products, we are tremendously excited to commence this new relationship and look forward to working closely with CUB to help deliver positive outcomes for the Australian liquor retail sector.”
Retail Drinks has also announced a new addition to its Board, with Darren Blackhurst, the newly appointed Chief Executive – Liquor at Coles, replacing Cathi Scarce who had been acting in the role.
Blackhurst brings more than 25 years’ experience in international retailing to the Retail Drinks Board and an intimate knowledge of the retail liquor sector, having previously managed it at Morrison’s, ASDA and Tesco.
He was most recently Group Commercial Director of Morrison’s in the UK since 2015. Prior to this, he was Commercial Director of UK home improvement company Kingfisher, CEO of homeware and fashion retailer Matalan, and Group Trading Director for ASDA/Walmart.
The Retail Drinks Board is rounded out by Chairman, John Carmody, Managing Director, Hotel & Tourism Management;Chris Baddock, CEO, Australian Liquor Marketers;Paul Heilman, Director, Top Cellars Group; Richard Kelsey, Director and Co-Founder, Beer Cartel;Gavin Saunders, CEO, Liquor Marketing Group;David Short, Managing Director, Shorty’s Liquor. Along with David Smith, Managing Director, Diageo Australasia; Scott Towers, Director, Red Bottle Group;Shane Tremble, General Manager Corporate Services, Endeavour Drinks;John Wilson, Director, Liquor Legends Charnwood & Hawker; and Sharni Wise-Fenton, Retail Operations Manager, Vantage Group.
With two positive developments already on the board for Retail Drinks in 2020, Ryan says that there will be further exciting announcements over the coming months.
“We are delighted to have had such a memorable start to 2020 and we look forward to continuing this positive momentum throughout the remainder of the year.”