New Zealander takes over presidency of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling

Donald Nelson has been elected as the sixty first president of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling and is the first to come from New Zealand. Donald is the Technical Best Practices Director for Lion Nathan in Auckland and has over 30 years’ experience in the brewing industry.

On his election, the new president said “Great beers and spirits are brewed by great people who combine technical expertise with a passion to excel. The Institute of Brewing and Distilling plays a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of such talent. One of my top priorities during my term in office is to ensure that the Institute fully capitalises on the distance learning opportunities so that we can fully support members whichever part of the world they hail from.”

Simon Jackson, Executive Director of the IBD said. “The IBD is a truly global organisation with over 4000 members from over 50 different countries. Donald’s international perspective will be invaluable in ensuring that the Institute continues to build its role as the pre-eminent provider of brewing and distilling education around the world.”

Alan Barclay, Diageo’s European Governance Director based at the Technical Centre in Menstrie in Scotland was elected Deputy President and will become President at the next AGM of the Institute which will be held in July 2012.