Bryan Fry elected Chair of Alcohol Beverages Australia

Alcohol Beverages Australia members elected a new Executive Committee team at its AGM in Sydney this week and also welcomed Beam Suntory to its growing corporate membership.

The Executive Committee positions, which must be renewed every two years, were filled unopposed by the nominations of:

Chair – Bryan Fry - Pernod Ricard Australia

Deputy Chair – Giuseppe Minissale GAIDC - ALM/ALSA/Porters Liquor

Treasurer - James Brindley – Lion

Incoming Chair Bryan Fry said he was honoured to have been elected into the role and was looking forward to working with industry stakeholders during what is an exciting time for the industry.

“Australians are drinking better, we’re enjoying strong sustainable growth because the evolution of our drinking behaviours through product innovation and a consumer-centric focus, is putting our drinks at the core of more accessible and interesting experiences,” Fry said.

Fry thanked outgoing Chair Giuseppe Minissale for his leadership and the members of the previous EC for their hard work over the past two years.

“Giuseppe, Shane Tremble, Mitchell Taylor and Terry Mott (as Public Officer) have played an important role in building and shaping ABA from being just a good idea to the strong and growing position it’s in today, and I congratulate them and thank them for their contribution,” Fry said.

Fry also welcomed the addition of Beam Suntory to the ABA organisation as a positive step for the industry body and a vote of confidence in its strategy and operation.

“We’re very pleased to welcome John Rosair and the Beam Suntory group into ABA and we look forward to working with them on industry matters into the future,” Fry said.

Rosair said Beam Suntory was determined to work with its industry counterparts to promote the contribution of the sector and help generate and maintain the stable regulatory environment industry needs.

“Beam Suntory is a positive and active participant in alcohol beverages industry matters worldwide and we believe joining ABA is the best way to continue that contribution across the Australian marketplace,” Rosair said.