As WSTA CEO, Beale represents the interests of more than 300 companies producing, importing, and selling wines and spirits in a sector worth over £45 billion and supporting nearly 550,000 jobs directly and indirectly in the UK
Beal is an experienced policy negotiator at EU and international level. He joined the WSTA from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs where he was deputy director for EU and international agricultural policy. He was previously deputy director from European and global issues at he Cabinet Office.
Also on the panel are Andrew Shaw, group wine buying director of Conviviality plc. Shaw oversees buying and technical requirements for Matthew Clark, Bibendum, PLB, Wine Rack and Bargain Booze. He is joined by Jean Marie Barillère, president of the Union of Maison de Champagne and vice President of the CIVC.
The panel moderator is wine writer Jane Anson. The panel will tackle the key concerns surrounding Brexit at a conference in Bordeaux’s Parc des Expositions on Tuesday, June 20 at 16.00.
The Vinexpo organsiers say the conference will cover Brexit's likely impact on exchange rates, retail pricing, category management and distribution, its impact on travel retail and the protection of origin designations, and the best ways the wine and spirits industries can help achieve favorable trade agreements and maintain smooth trading
