IBD - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Immediate past President
• President

Bhavya is the Immediate Past President and the third female President of the IBD. She was the youngest woman appointed to this position, bringing with her a strategic, innovative mind-set and strong leadership skills. During her tenure as President of the IBD, Bhavya continued leadership of the organisation through a period of great change post the pandemic, refocusing the IBD's strategy to become the most professional provider of industry education and development. This was underpinned by significant improvements in organisation and governance structures, performance management systems, and professionalisation of our offerings, delivering an enhanced portfolio with improved customer service, and strong marketing and communications. Receiving the Chartership has been a great achievement, that will now continue under the leadership of the new President. Bhavya is a strong innovator with an entrepreneurial mind set who has a proven track record of leading the supply chain delivery of large-scale, complex operations, and major strategic, global pilot projects. Originally from Bangalore, in India, Bhavya started her professional career at Molson Coors Beverage Company in the UK, in 2010 as a Supply Chain Brewing Student, and progressed to become a Technical Brewer before she joined Carlsberg UK in 2014. Since then, Bhavya has gained extensive, multicultural leadership experience in the supply chain, in various positions including Regional Brewing Lead for Western Europe, Production Director for Olympic Brewery S.A. (a part of Carlsberg Group) in Greece, Senior Director of Production for Carlsberg Denmark, and Head of Innovation & Focused Improvement for Western Europe for Molson Coors Beverage Company. Currently, Bhavya works as the Science & Technology Director (Global) for Diageo leading technical strategic R&D and supply chain transformation programmes. A proud brewer, with a great passion for continually developing herself and others, Bhavya became one of the youngest Master Brewers from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling (IBD) in 2014, winning the James Hough Award. She also has an MBA from Warwick Business School, and an MSc. In Brewing and Distilling from Heriot Watt University. Her other vocational studies have included Business Sustainability Management from Cambridge University, Digital Transformation from Imperial College London and Project Management from Cornell University.

Job Titles:

• Board Trustee
• Trustee

David brings to the Board the expertise on modern educational standards that will enable the IBD to develop its value proposition and support the IBD Chartership endeavours.

Job Titles:

• Board Trustee
• Trustee

David brings a wealth of experience in the brewing industry, especially in the craft sector, and deep knowledge of Manufacture, Food & Beverage, Business Planning, and Quality Assurance.

Job Titles:

• Fellow
• General Manager
• President
• Barley Australia As Executive Manager

Megan is the IBD's second successive female President and the fourth woman in this role in the history of the organisation. As the new President, Megan's primary responsibilities will be Board leadership focused on the strategic growth and development of the IBD, with a key element being the implementation of Chartership. Her role will also concentrate on promoting membership engagement and value. Megan brings to the IBD Board a breadth and depth of knowledge having worked in the food & beverages and agriculture industries and for the not-for-profit sector. With a strong skillset in management, continuous improvement, troubleshooting, malting and brewing science, Megan proves the global reach of IBD as an institution with strong roots and high engagement in the Asia Pacific region. Her career started at Lion in Adelaide in Australia in 2000 in several operational positions in brewing and packaging, the last one as a Packaging Quality Team Manager. After this, Megan joined Joe White Maltings, where she was responsible for research projects on barley, malt and other related products and the operation of the pilot brewery. Later on, Megan became part of Cargill Malt as Technical Services Manager in a vital position that brought together Technical, Operations and Marketing to help achieve strategic goals around market volume and profit targets. In January 2016, Megan joined Barley Australia as Executive Manager, moving on to the position of Executive Chairperson in late 2017. During her time with Barley Australia, she gained extensive experience within the barley and the broader grains industry. Since February 2022, Megan is General Manager - Classification at Grains Australia in a key executive position where she is responsible for the coordination and delivery of Australian grain variety classification outcomes. Born in Adelaide, South Australia, Megan holds a Ph.D Degree in Food Microbiology for the University of New South Wales, a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry and Microbiology and Hons Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Technology for the University of South Australia. Megan is a Fellow of the IBD and a former Director and Chairperson for the Board of Management for the IBD's Asia Pacific Section. Megan has also been closely involved with the planning and management of the Internationally renowned Australian Barley Technical Symposium (ABTS) for the past three symposia, holding the role of Symposia Secretary for the 2017 Hobart Symposium and serving as a member of the organising committee for the 2019 and 2022 Symposia. Megan is the IBD's second successive female President and the fourth woman in this role in the history of the organisation. Megan proves the global reach of IBD as an institution with strong roots and high engagement in the Asia Pacific region.

Job Titles:

• Professor

David is AB InBev Professor of Brewing Science at the University of Nottingham and liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Brewers. He brings to the Board the expertise on modern educational standards that will enable the IBD to develop its value proposition and support the IBD Chartership endeavours. Born in Romsey, Hampshire, David holds a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry & Food Science from the University of Reading, UK. He has developed most of his career at the University of Nottingham where he started as a Research Assistant in 1997, completing a PhD in Food Flavour Technology in 2003. His PhD studies were sponsored by Firmenich SA (Geneva) and applied real-time flavour release measurements to understand better the impacts of viscosity on flavour perception. David became a Lecturer in Brewing Science in 2006 and together with Professor Katherine Smart, helped to establish a successful brewing department at the University of Nottingham, creating a strong track record in research and education. He has been Course Director for the University's Masters-level brewing qualifications since 2006 and has played a significant part in developing innovative e-learning-based educational programs for professional brewers worldwide. David has been involved in the IBD examinations since 2007 as a Member of the Board of Examiners for Diploma Brewing paper 1 (Materials and Wort). Since 2017, he is the AB InBev Professor in Brewing Science and head of the International Centre for Brewing Science at the University of Nottingham. David currently has over 20 years of experience conducting research and teaching into brewing, malting, analytical food chemistry and flavour technology. His wealth of expertise and research findings are internationally recognised and are highly valued by students and researchers alike. His current research focuses on three broad themes: Brewing Raw Materials and Beer Quality, Malting Science & Technology, and Valorisation of Biomaterials and Co-product Streams. The Cook research group has a strong track record of collaboration and sponsorship across the industry, including maltsters and multinational brewing companies.

Job Titles:

• Deputy President
• Chairman of the Barbados Rum Distillers Committee, Director of WIRSPA
• Industry Leader
• Managing Director at Mount Gay Distilleries
• Southern & Eastern Europe Zone Director of Champagne Ruinart

Raphaël is an international drinks industry leader with a wealth of experience in the Scotch whisky, champagne and rum industries. He has extensive commercial expertise across the world and brings to the IBD Board considerable knowledge in brand strategy and marketing, commercial development, operations, CSR and multicultural management. With his ample experience in business growth and repositioning brands in the high-end segment, Raphaël represents the wide knowledge and the diverse and global reach of the IBD. His career started in 1994 at Inver House Distribution as the Iberia Zone Manager where he was responsible for the commercial development of whisky across multinational purchasing groups. After this, Raphaël joined Distilleries Ryssen (Victor Fauconnier - Hesdin Division), first as Southern Europe Zone Director and later as the Export Director. A position focused on the commercial development of private labels and mass-market brands in Europe, South America and Asia. Following this, Raphaël became the Southern & Eastern Europe Zone Director of Champagne Ruinart, part of LWMH Group, where he focused on the activation of the on-trade exclusive Moet-Hennessy Champagne. His career continued in Rémy Cointreau as the Northern Europe Zone Director with base in Paris. His main responsibility was portfolio development with brands like Piper & Charles Heidsieck Champagne, Rémy Martin Cognac, Cointreau, Mouént Gay Rum, St Remy Brandy and Passoa Liqueur. At Rémy Cointreau, Raphaël was appointed the Managing Director at Mount Gay Distilleries in Barbados where he has been in charge, in a first instance of portfolio development and later of operations and strategy to reposition the brand in the high-end segment. He also had a key role in the creation of Barbados Rum GI in partnership with the Barbados Government. Raphaël has been the Chairman of the Barbados Rum Distillers Committee, Director of WIRSPA (West Indies Rum and Spirit Producers Association) and Co-Founder and Director of the Barbados Alcohol Industry Association till September 2022, when he became General Manager at Rémy Cointreau Canada. Based in Toronto, his main focus has been the development and expansion of the company's portfolio in this country. Since August 2023, Raphaël is Managing Director AMEI (Africa, Middle East, India) for Rémy Cointreau. Based in Dubai, he continues expanding his international career and developing the portfolio of the company in these markets. Born in Marseille and raised in Paris, Raphaël has a Bachelor's Degree in International Commerce, Law and Economics for L'Institut Libre des Relations Internationales et Des Sciences Politiques in Paris, and a Master in Ethnology for la Université Paris 7 Cité. Studies that he complemented with a Master in Business Administration for the University of Warwick and a Certificate in Sustainability Leadership & Corporate Responsibility at London Business School. A passionate sportsman, Raphaël is three-time winner of the J24 Regatta in Barbados, and a former rugby player who as a hooker was part of the 2nd and 3rd French Divisions. Now passionate about cycling with his wife and kids. In his free time and to relax, he balances work and sports by drumming in a band and beekeeping.

Job Titles:

• Board Trustee
• Trustee

Sandra has been working in the brewing industry for almost three decades, working both in R&D and Production, prominently focusing on beer and more recently expanding into spirits. Sandra started her career at the SAB Ltd. Beer Division (R&D) in South Africa. After obtaining her PhD, she moved to production in Alrode Brewery. She later joined the technical team based in Switzerland to support the network of breweries across Europe and later became Brewing Manager in Grolsch Brewery in the Netherlands. In 2015, she joined Diageo as a Head of Science and Brand Technical Innovation, and moved to Dublin, providing technical support to all the Diageo brewing operations across Ireland and Africa. Sandra provides a wide view to create a global community of professionals who wish to excel in their careers with the technical knowledge that the IBD provides.

Job Titles:

• Board Trustee
• Trustee

Steve is committed to supporting and consolidating the strategic direction and governance of the IBD, using his extensive international experience in the brewing industry. With a wealth of knowledge and broad expertise in Research, Development, Branding, Innovation Technology and Science, Steve is well known across the corporate and academic worlds. Steve joined the Board of Trustees in November 2018, a role that he combined with being an Honorary Assistant Professor at International Centre for Brewing Science for Nottingham University. His career began at Bass Brewers and latterly at Coors and Molson Coors where he worked for 33 years. He spent most of his career in Research and Development or Innovation roles, including a stint as Senior Brand Manager. Later, he was promoted to Director of Insight and Innovation in 2006 at the company's North America Supply Chain in Toronto where he was responsible for creating and deploying of a 3-year rolling Innovation Funnel for each of the Core Brands. He was also closely involved in devising the Innovation and Technology strategies for Molson Coors. Steve joined Diageo in 2011 and moved to Dublin as a Technology Development Director and later as Science and Technology Director. He later joined the Internation Centre for Brewing Science at the University of Nottingham as Industrial Fellow, subsequently being appointed an Honorary Assistant Professor. He also ran his consultancy business from 2010, working in product, package and dispense innovation for several major drinks businesses and an Innovation company based near Cambridge. Steve holds a Bachelor's Degree (Hons) in Biological Science and Master in Brewing and Malting Science from Birmingham University. He also has a Diploma in Management Science and passed his Master Brewer examinations in 1982. He is the co-author of a paper on Yeast Distribution in Conical FVs presented at EBC Venice and the named inventor on six patents. In his free time, Steve is well-known for his love for cycling, music and good cask beer. With a wealth of knowledge and wide expertise in Research, Development, Branding, Innovation Technology and Science, Steve is well known across the corporate and academic worlds.

Job Titles:

• Chief Executive Officer
• Specialist

Tom is an expert in developing membership organisations and creating high value partnerships. He has worked across several sectors and deployed a number of successful change programmes. With a breadth of experience in strategy development, operations and commercial delivery, Tom brings to the Institute a strong set of skills that complements the IBD Trustees' expertise, especially around market and audience analysis, agile planning, membership engagement and partnerships development. His career started as a marketeer at McDonald's with highlights including launching new products, implementing a global rebranding programme at national level and working on a range of high-profile sports and media partnerships. Passionate about sport, Tom jointed Everton Football Club as Head of Marketing in 2008 where he was responsible for the club marketing strategy, working with key corporate partners and representing the club to a range of key stakeholders. In his free time, Tom is keenly interested in learning and applying the life lessons of sports and beyond and spending quality time with his family. Tom has a wealth of experience in developing membership organizations and forming high-value partnerships.

Job Titles:

• Director
• Honorary Treasurer
• Managing Director of Windsor & Eton Brewery

Will Calvert brings strong technical brewing expertise and management skills to the Board of Trustees, combined with financial acumen and an excellent professional network that crosses over both the mainstream beer and craft sectors. Will joined the IBD Board of Trustees in 2020 and become Treasurer in September 2022. He is Managing Director of Windsor & Eton Brewery which he co-founded in 2010, when he returned to a very different brewing industry that he left, prior to the Beer Orders, as a technical brewer for Courage at Tadcaster, Reading and Bristol. In between, he mainly worked for Mars Confectionery based in the UK and Germany, in Production Management, Industrial Engineering and as UK Financial Controller, and later elsewhere with consumer goods and healthcare businesses as well as Head of Finance for UK Sport prior to the London Olympic Games. Born in Blackburn, Lancashire and raised in the Scottish borders, Will graduated in Brewing with Microbiology at Heriot-Watt University followed by a PhD in yeast physiology working with Allied Breweries at the University of Bath. He is also a graduate of the technical brewers' pupillage scheme run by the Incorporated Brewers Guild prior to their merger into IBD. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, has a postgraduate certificate in Sports Law from Kings College and is the grantee for Windsor & Eton Brewery's Royal Warrant as Brewer to HM The King. Will is a director of a community pub in Windsor and a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Brewers. He has previously served on the Boards of Sporting Equals and British Basketball as Chair and Company Secretary / FD respectively. In his free time, Will loves cycling and playing football, something he would like to carry on doing when he is 80, which is only 15 years away. He lives in Windsor with his wife Rebecca now that their 3 children have grown up. Will, Managing Director of Windsor & Eton Brewery, brings strong technical brewing expertise and an excellent professional network that crosses over both the mainstream beer and craft sectors.