New EBC President and BoE Secretary General presented in Lille

Lille | The joint gathering of the Brewers Forum and the EBC Congress in Lille from 26 to 30 May 2024 saw the introduction of Paul Lefebvre as new President of the EBC and of Julia Leferman as new Secretary General of The Brewers of Europe.

The event opened on 26 May with 900 brewers, suppliers, distributors, policymakers, trade media and consumer advocates coming together in northern France for the year’s biggest event on the European brewing calendar. Lille 2024 ran until 30th May, with debates, plenaries, site visits and forty sessions on how to make brewing more sustainable, innovative, responsible and diverse (BRAUWELT will report in detail in the upcoming issues).

At the opening Plenary, The Brewers of Europe President Lasse Aho referred to the event as a key moment for the entire beer sector to reflect on its role in bringing people together. “We all know that beer is a delicious drink with a multitude of flavours,” he said. “It is also the best drink for bringing us together. Whatever the occasion, for friends or families, for celebrations or commemorations, beer is the drink that binds communities, fosters connections and enriches our lives. And as brewers, we are producing ever more sustainably whilst also contributing to the European economy.”

Paul Lefebvre new President of the EBC

This also marked the first public appearance of Paul Lefebvre, CEO of Brasserie Lefebvre, following his appointment by the Board of The Brewers of Europe as the new President of the European Brewery Convention (EBC). He took over the reins from Benet Fité, who has been EBC president since November 2020.

Referring to the election of the new EBC President, Aho said: “Stepping up from the EBC Executive Team, Paul Lefebvre has a wealth of experience, but he also brings a fresh approach to the key challenges of brewing. I would like to thank Benet Fité for leading the EBC for almost four years, guiding it out of the difficult period of Covid shutdowns and through a triumphant EBC Congress in Madrid in 2022 just as Europe was opening up again. I’m sure Paul will continue the good work and take us even further.”

Paul Lefebvre is a sixth-generation family brewer. Based in Quenast, near Tubize in Belgium, he has worked at Brasserie Lefebvre for more than twenty years, introducing new lines and including fruity and hoppy varieties. “I am honoured to be taking on this new role as EBC president and recognise the responsibility that it involves. Brewers are hardworking, innovative and care deeply about their craft. We want to foster an environment that ensures we can continue brewing the best beers. I am humbled that my colleagues have entrusted with me the responsibility to take on the baton from Benet Fité.” he said.

Julia Leferman appointed Secretary General of The Brewers of Europe

Also introduced at Lille 2024, Julia Leferman will formally take up her position as Secretary General of The Brewers of Europe on 1st August 2024.

With over twenty years’ experience in political advocacy and management consultancy in the public and private sector, Leferman has served for the last seven years as General Manager of the Brewers of Romania. Under her leadership, the organisation has been at the forefront of creating the Romanian DRS, the biggest integrated deposit return system in Europe, building great public engagement. The Brewers of Europe President, Lasse Aho, stressed Julia Leferman was perfectly placed to lead the organisation at a time of transition in the European Union, a time of change in consumer markets, and a period of innovation amongst brewers.

He said: “With her experience both before and since becoming head of the Romanian Brewers, Julia has shown herself to be a skilled lobbyist, campaigner, negotiator and leader. This is a critical moment for both the European brewing sector and The Brewers of Europe and I feel confident knowing that we have Julia taking on that challenge, with support from the rest of the Brussels team and our members across Europe. We know she will be a champion of beer, brewing and brewers in Brussels and beyond.”

Aho added. “I would also like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to Pierre-Olivier Bergeron who, as Secretary General until 2023, oversaw the further professionalisation and establishment of The Brewers of Europe as a reputed organisation on the Brussels scene. We thank him for his hard work, impressive achievements and commitment to The Brewers of Europe. Finally, my thanks to Simon Spillane, who as Head of Operations, has ensured a smooth transition over the last twelve months, whilst continuing to lead The Brewers of Europe’s communications and advocacy work towards the EU Institutions.”

Julia Leferman said she was looking forward to being the voice of Europe’s brewers in Brussels. “There is no beverage more synonymous with Europe than beer. We have thousands of years of history, heritage and reinvention behind us. Beer is engrained in communities across our continent. Brewers can take pride in constantly innovating, driving the economy, supporting sustainability and bringing people together. The next five years are make or break for Europe. As we anticipate the next EU mandate, we are committed to engaging more with our partners and decision-makers. Beer is the right choice for Europe - for the economy, for local communities, for environmental sustainability and for responsible consumption,” she said.

Paying tribute to her predecessor and the reputation established by The Brewers of Europe as a reliable and trusted stakeholder, Leferman added: “I look forward to working alongside The Brewers of Europe team in Brussels and the extended brewers’ family across our members, for it is through collective effort that we truly thrive. I must thank the Romanian brewers for the opportunity they gave me seven years ago to enter the world of beer and set me on this journey.”