Gillian Murray, commercial procurement director at C&C Group plc, has been appointed to the Executive Board of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.
Murray brings over 20 years of experience in the drinks industry across GB and Ireland.
Since joining the Tennent’s business in 2014, Murray has played a key role in shaping commercial strategy for C&C’s route-to-market brands — including Tennent’s, Tennent’s NI, Matthew Clark, Bibendum, and Bulmers.
She has been described as ‘not only a brilliant leader within C&C, but also a passionate advocate for the wider drinks industry and Scottish hospitality’.
Gillian has supported organisations like the Benevolent Society (Scotland), Scottish Tourism Alliance, and HIT Scotland, and holds both a degree in Economics from the University of Glasgow and WSET wine qualifications.
She will be working alongside three other newly appointed members of the WSTA Executive Board: Sophie Hogg, category director for grocery drinks at Sainsbury’s; Brian Davis, director at London City Bond; and Robin Copestick, managing director at Freixenet Copestick, the leading UK distributor of sparkling wines.
WSTA chair Mark Riley said: “I am delighted to welcome to the WSTA Board some of the best examples of leaders in the wine and spirit trade who bring with them a broad skillset from a range of different businesses.
“It is clear the industry continues to face significant challenges, and by harnessing the expertise and knowledge from these four stalwarts of the wine and spirit industry it will help us to ensure that the WSTA meets these head on.”
Chief Executive of the WSTA, Miles Beale, added: “We are very lucky to be able to be able to call on an increasingly broad group of experienced industry professionals to serve on the WSTA Board, giving us access and insight across the industry at a time when we need it most.
“The combination of retailer, wholesaler and wine and spirit producers, brings to the board the perfect cocktail of credentials which we need to help the trade take on the challenges ahead.”
