Przibilla has been CEO of the association since November 2006. She has spent the past ten years reinvigorating the association to ensure it focuses on the needs of the drinks industry.
Ralph Dunning, Chairman of the drinks association, explained, “When Sandra came into the business it was viable, but required enormous effort, to make the association successful and deliver on its premise to its members: to always do collectively much more, efficiently and effectively, and at a lower cost than you can individually.
“That was the premise, and what we had to do was bring that to life. That’s where Sandra has been incredibly powerful. She has a work ethic and focus on outcome that a lot of people don’t have, and I think the association should be eternally grateful for that single mindset proposition that she has taken to the industry and delivered on.”
The board and members of the drinks association have thanked Przibilla for her contribution and wished her well.
On her time with the association, Przibilla said, “It has been an honour to lead the drinks association these past ten years and to serve the member companies of the association. I am proud of our accomplishments, and confident the drinks association will continue to be an increasingly strong force in the drinks industry and will bring innovative ideas, champion and deliver even more value to its members.
“It has been my great privilege to work with an exceptionally dedicated, supportive team and board of directors during my tenure. I thank and congratulate the current executive for their vision and unwavering support. I could not have asked for a more supportive board of directors.
“I am grateful for the hard work and level of commitment the drinks association employees and the drinks board have given to boost the association from an association lacking relevance to a highly respected organisation within the drinks industry known for its integrity and high business standards.
“These are not accomplishments a CEO makes alone; they are achievements that require a committed team of tenacious individuals who come together to work relentlessly for a common goal.”
Dunning said looking forward; the drinks association will endeavour to continue to make doing business for its members cheaper, more effective and efficient.
“The industry has an expectation that when their fees are paid that they will get four times their fees back in value from the association. Well, we’ve just had the CFO’s forum that has valued the services of the association at 6.1 x their cost of membership. That means that we are doing our job and that means that the association is delivering for its members - exactly what its charter says it should do,” said Dunning.
“Moving forward that is what we see as our core proposition, that we make doing business for our members faster, smarter, cheaper, and more effective. That’s our role.”
Dunning said another key goal of the association is to help create a diverse drinks industry.
“The association is also working towards an industry perspective. Things like ‘Women in drinks’ and our ‘Diversity and Inclusion' programs are very important for the future. We need a diverse industry if we are going to be successful.
“Have a look at our marketplace. If we as suppliers of product into that customer marketplace don’t reflect them, how are we going to pick up on trends accurately and effectively? These are things that help businesses target where they need to be in the eyes of their consumers into the future. And we’re going to help them do that.
“Deliver on our mission but also put it into context and assist our members on that journey, at a lower cost than it would be if they were doing it on their own.”
Touchstone Consulting has been engaged to recruit a new CEO.
Przibilla will remain with the drinks association until her successor has been appointed.
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