Business appointments: Charity enlists female chair

The drinks trade’s leading charitable organisation has appointed its first ever female chairperson.

Vanessa Wright, communications director of Chivas Brothers, took up the chair of The Wine and Spirit Trades’ Benevolent Society on June 6.

Wright succeeds John Smith, managing director of PLB, who has played an enthusiastic role over the last year, raising the profile of The Benevolent.

Wright has a thorough working knowledge of the charity, gained during three years’ experience as a council member and two years as a member of the executive. She brings a fresh approach to the role through her experience of managing international, corporate and brand profiles. “My key challenge this year is all about communication,” said Wright. “We need to ensure we have the right communications infrastructure to take the Benevolent forward and to enable us to work more closely with current members as well as recruit new companies and younger people from all sectors
of the drinks industry.”

© db July 2006