Treasury Wine Estates director Michelle Brampton joins WSTA’s board

Michelle Brampton, the European managing director of Treasury Wine Estates, has joined the board of the UK’s Wine and Spirits Trade Association (WSTA).

(photo: TWE)

Brampton joined the board at the end of last month, having gained experience working at TWE for the last 17 years across a variety of roles.

She has served as chief financial officer for the company’s European and South-East Asian businesses, and was named TWE’s commercial director in the UK and Ireland in August last year.

Her expertise brings into the fold a key player in the global wine trade at a time when Brexit “continues to bring so much uncertainty to the UK wine industry,” according to a statement from the trade body.

“The UK wine industry currently faces a tough trading landscape brought on by Brexit uncertainties and punishingly high duty rates,” Miles Beale, the WSTA’s chief executive, said.

“Only by working together can we highlight the importance of the wine and spirit trade to the UK economy and bring about changes which will benefit both businesses and consumers.”

Chairman Dan Jago added that Brampton already has extensive knowledge of the global wine industry “which will help steer the WSTA as they help members through these uncertain and testing times.”

Brampton also highlighted how much focus the WSTA is placing on Britain’s planned departure from the European Union.

“We are faced with challenges over Brexit but more particularly the government’s attitude to the industry over taxation,” she said.

“I am looking forward to working with the board to help frame our position and really effectively engage with these key stakeholders moving forward.”