New leadership for Wine Industry Suppliers Australia
Wine Industry Suppliers Australia Inc. (WISA), the peak body representing the grape and wine supply chain, is pleased to announce that Paula Edwards, of member company Winegrapes Australia Pty Ltd, was unanimously voted by the board to the role of Chair at the Associations February meeting. She replaces David Evans who reluctantly resigned from the board at the end of January.
With Edward’s elevation from the Vice Chair position to Chair of the Association, the board is also pleased to announce that Kate Bickford, of member company DW Fox Tucker Lawyers, was also unanimously endorsed as the Vice Chair.
WISA Executive Officer, Matthew Moate says both Edward’s and Bickford’s commercial and professional experience coupled with their industry knowledge will serve the Association extremely well and he looks forward to working with them closely.
“Having worked with both Paula and Kate on the board over the past 12 months they have demonstrated strong strategic and leadership skills that will serve them well in their respective important new roles.” Moate Says “It will be a privilege to continue to learn from them as we head into what I expect will be a significant growth phase for the Association as we focus on increasing our capabilities in supporting not only our members but the wider industry.”
David Evans as resigning Chair, while only in the role for approximately 12 months, played a pivotal and impactful role in lifting the relevance of WISA as the peak national body representing the suppliers across the Australian grape and wine value chain. Evans reluctantly resigned from the role after a change of employment resulted in no longer being a representative of a member company.
“WISA owes David a debt of gratitude for his commitment and ability to reach across industry in a collaborative style that has resulted in strengthening WISA’s relationships, relevance and standing across the Australian grape and wine community” added Moate “David’s strong collaborative and engagement focus has set WISA on a positive trajectory to add even greater value to industry in the future and we wish him well with his new endeavours.”
Having over 20 years’ experience in the wine industry, Edwards has extensive experience and industry knowledge to draw upon to strategically guide WISA to even greater success in the future.
“Set against a backdrop of bubbling optimism across the Australian Wine Community, WISA and its members are committed more than ever to pursuing a collaborative approach across the value chain.” Said Edwards “The landscape is changing and we are keen to play an integral role in ensuring the industry can exploit all and any opportunities to improve the capability and competitiveness of Australian grape and wine producers”.
Sourced with permission from Wine Industry Suppliers Australia Inc website news 2 March 2017
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