Colin Valentine is stepping down as CAMRA chairman

Colin Valentine is stepping down from his role as national chairman of industry body Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA).

Colin Valentine will step down as CAMRA’s national chairman in April 2018 (Photo: CAMRA).

Valentine announced on Monday that he will not be standing for re-election to the National Executive at CAMRA’s AGM in April 2018, and will hand his role over to current vice-chair Jackie Parker.

Parker was elected by her colleagues at the National Executive meeting on 1 December.

Colin, who was elected as CAMRA’s chairman in 2010, has been a member of the organisation for more than 30 years. He served as CAMRA’s director for Scotland and Northern Ireland for six years before being elected to the National Executive, the organisation’s board of directors, in 2000.

The board switch will coincide with the conclusion of CAMRA’s Revitalisation Project — a wholesale review into the body’s purpose and strategy which could see it turn its focus away from real ale onto all beer drinkers, all pub-goers regardless of what they drink, or even all drinkers regardless of where they choose to drink it.

“Hopefully members will vote to approve the National Executive’s recommendations,” Valentine said, “which would be the perfect time for me to step down and let Jackie lead the implementation of the changes.”

Valentine said he will continue to work with CAMRA organising festivals, campaigns and activities “with the same passion and dedication I devoted to the chairman role.”

“It has been an honour and a privilege to represent CAMRA as its Chairman over the last eight years – I hope fellow members feel I have made a positive contribution and I’m delighted Jackie will be taking on the role. I’m confident she’s exactly the right choice to lead CAMRA as we seek to take full advantage of the opportunities Revitalisation offers us.”

Parker has been an active CAMRA member since 1999. She has been a member of the National Executive for seven years, and has previously served as the regional director for CAMRA’s central Southern region for three years.

“We’re at a key point in CAMRA’s history as we prepare to ask our members to approve the recommendations we’re making as a result of the Revitalisation Project,” Parker said.

“I’m excited about the opportunity for my fellow directors and I to lead CAMRA into the future and ensure that the next important step of the Revitalisation Project – implementation of the recommendations into the Campaign’s future positioning and purpose, strategy and activities – goes smoothly.

“My vision for CAMRA is to ensure we remain as relevant to our active volunteers, our members, possible new members and those people visiting pubs and clubs as possible, and we continue to achieve our goals of campaigning for real ale, cider and perry drinkers across the UK.