WSTA appoints Caroline Thompson-Hill as new Chair

The Board of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association has announced a new Chair – Caroline Thompson-Hill, Head of Beers, Wines and Spirits at Marks & Spencer.

Caroline, who is the first to take up the role as Chair of the WSTA Executive Board from a multiple retailer, has garnered a wealth of experience following a career spanning two decades with some of the UK’s biggest alcohol companies.

Her experience includes stints at Diageo and Treasury Wine Estates, across Europe and the Americas, before she took over as Managing Director for Accolade Wines in Europe. Last year Caroline took up her current role at Marks & Spencer, where she is responsible for their award-winning alcohol range.

Caroline holds an executive MBA from Bayes Business School in London, graduating with distinction. According to WSTA, “She brings a range of leadership, innovation and commercial skills at a time when greater collaboration across drinks and the wider retail and hospitality sectors is needed to press our case with government on policy ranging from alcohol duty to environmental issues to health and social care.”

Caroline takes the helm from Mark Riley, of Edrington UK, after a successful two terms as Chair.

On her new role, Caroline said, “It is a privilege to be appointed Chair of the WSTA Board, and I look forward to working with the team to deliver the best service possible to our members. I am eager to get to grips with the WSTA’s many workstreams to ensure that we prioritise effectively as we enter into a new year.”

She added, “I hope to continue to work with a board of committed and experienced leaders to bring fresh ideas and to support the WSTA’s team to help create a better trading environment for our industry.”

Caroline will continue championing the WSTA recruitment drive to ensure it has the most diverse membership and to provide a strong, united voice.

Chief Executive of the WSTA, Miles Beale, said, “We warmly welcome Caroline to the Chair and feel lucky to have an informed, experienced and pragmatic drinks industry expert in the role at a vital time. She has a passion for the wine and spirit sector, and I know that her thoughtful approach to leadership will be a huge asset to the WSTA and its members. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mark Riley for being such a collegiate and effective Chair and for his constructive and practical approach to leading the board over three challenging years.”