By Deborah Jackson, editor National Liquor News
The Wine Federation of Australia (WFA) has appointed Tony Battaglene as acting CEO, following the resignation of Paul Evans.
Battaglene, WFA's current general manager of strategy and international affairs, will step into the acting CEO role as of 8 April, while the board initiates a formal recruitment process to appoint a permanent CEO.
He brings a wealth of experience and relationships to the role having been at the WFA for 16 years. During that time Battaglene has significantly progressed the Australian industry’s interests in both domestic and international trade and wine forums.
His appointment will ensure the momentum behind WFA’s discussion with government on boosting industry support and WET rebate reform will be maintained ahead of the May Federal Budget, a new financial year and an election.
Evans announced his departure from the WFA in February, to take a corporate role in Melbourne.
At the time, Tony D'Aloisio AM, the president of the WFA board, said: "Paul has been CEO of WFA since mid-2012 and during his time the organisation has undertaken a significant body of work to develop and implement a recovery plan to lift profitability for wine businesses. This work has not only attracted the support of national and state industry associations, it has also placed a welcome and unprecedented focus on the sector from government stakeholders.
"Paul has worked tirelessly to develop and implement the WFA’s strategic plan. For example, the Government is now actively considering the key elements of WFA’s plan on WET rebate reform and has committed to acting before the next election."