Retail Drinks Australia has announced two new appointments with Endeavour Group’s Michael James joining the Board as Chain Store Member, and Jonathan Russell joining the management team as Head of Policy & Advocacy.

Retail Drinks CEO Michael Waters welcomed the new appointments and the significant experience both men will bring to the organisation.

“We are delighted to confirm the appointments of both Mr Michael James as our newest Retail Drinks Board Director and Mr Jonathan Russell as our new Head of Policy & Advocacy.

“Both Michael and Jonathan will be tremendous assets to Retail Drinks, particularly given their extensive career experiences which will be of significant benefit to the Association as we continue the implementation of our three-year strategic plan and continue to build our momentum and on our solid foundation.

“We are extremely fortunate to have persons of Michael and Jonathan’s calibre join the organisation and we look forward to the contributions they will make in their respective roles.”

James joined Endeavour Group in February 2020 as Director of Operations and Supply Chain and has spent the majority of his career in retail and said he was excited to be joining the Retail Drinks Board.

“I am thrilled to have joined the Retail Drinks Board and look forward to representing both Endeavour Group and the wider retail liquor industry in this very important forum.

“I have been fortunate to have spent several decades immersed in the Australian retail sector and I am grateful for the opportunity to bring the various insights I have gained throughout my career to the Retail Drinks boardroom.”

Russell joins Retail Drinks from Engineers Australia where he has held senior management roles within their policy and advocacy team for over six years, and said he was looking forward to further advancing Retail Drinks’ various policy priorities in all Australian jurisdictions.

“I am very excited to be joining Retail Drinks Australia as the Head of Policy & Advocacy and working closely with the rest of the Management Team to continue the Association’s strong and effective advocacy.

“Having worked in policy and advocacy positions for more than 15 years, including at other national industry associations, I am intimately familiar with the challenge of delivering positive policy outcomes at both a national and state and territory government level and look forward to representing the Australian retail liquor industry.”

Andy Young

Andy joined Intermedia as Editor of The Shout in 2015, writing news on a daily basis and also writing features for National Liquor News. Now Managing Editor of both The Shout and Bars and Clubs.

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