BBPA appoints Molson Coors md as new chairman

The BBPA has appointed Molson Coors Western Europe md Phil Whitehead as its new chairman, it announced this morning.

Whitehead, who has been on the BBPA board since December 2016, succeeds Simon Emeny, the chief executive of brewery Fuller Smith & Turner, PLC, who has chaired the UK’s brewery and pub organisation for the last three years.

During his 14 years at Molson Coors, Whitehead’s positions included chief supply chain officer for the brewer’s European operations and managing director for the UK & Ireland business before he became MD of Western Europe.

He described the pub and a pint as “a British institution woven into the fabric of communities across the country”, but said the sector was facing increasing pressures and challenges.

“The BBPA was a vital partner tackling these issues [and] as Chairman, I’m excited to play a role in protecting and promoting our unique industry.”

He said he would be working with chief executive Emma McClarkin and the team of industry ambassadors and innovators at the BBPA, to look at championing “new ways for our industry to remain a relevant, vibrant and valued part of the UK economy, while safeguarding the legacy of British beer and pubs – a cornerstone of our history and culture.”