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The Drinks Trust appoints new chair

Guy Lawrence, CEO of Brockmans Gin, has been named the new chair of industry charity The Drinks Trust.

Guy Lawrence Drinks Trust
Guy Lawrence is the new chair of The Drinks Trust

Lawrence takes over from Troy Christensen, whose two-year tenure has ended. His appointment was announced during The Vintners’ Company Annual Lunch in aid of The Drinks Trust.

Lawrence joined The Drinks Trust’s board of trustees in 2016.

“It’s a great honour to take on the responsibility of being chairman of The Drinks Trust, in addition to my Brockmans duties,” he said. “The drinks trade has given me everything I have, for which I am eternally grateful and only too pleased to be able to give something back.”

Before becoming CEO of Brockmans Gin, Lawrence worked as CEO and RVP at Master-Jaegermeister UK and Latin America for seven years.

Lawrence said he would use his experience to raise the profile of the charity, and increase engagement and financial support from the wider trade.

He added: “The Drinks Trust provides an important part of the solution to assist in tackling the skills and staff shortage, the financial needs and the wellbeing of the industry staff, and in turn, the wellbeing of industry businesses like your own.

“But with greater levels of support, comes a greater need for funding. So in 2023, fundraising is our charity’s highest priority; we need you to invest in this charity you asked us to create.

“Most industry businesses do, but some do not, and I would call on those who don’t presently, to join us in our work and invest in the industry in doing so.”

At the end of the lunch, during which Lawrence’s appointment was announced, The Vintners’ Company presented a cheque for £12,000 (US$14,650) to The Drinks Trust.

A number of members also stepped down from The Drinks Trust’s board of trustees: Andrew Hawes, managing director of Mentzendorff; Andrew Reed, managing director events and exhibitions at William Reed Business Media; and James Rackham, chairman of Emporia Brands.

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