Edith Monfries, Chief Operating Officer of Hawthorn, the Community Pub Co., has been appointed as President of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, the leading trade association for pubs and brewers in Scotland.
Edith replaces Brian Davidson, who steps down after 4 years in the role, at a critical juncture for the pub and brewing sector in Scotland. With pubs having been largely closed or facing huge restrictions to trading for the past year, the role of working hand in hand with the Scottish Government to ensure the sector’s recovery and long-term future is vital.
Speaking about her appointment Edith said “I am proud of my Scottish roots, so it’s an honour to become President of the SBPA, an organisation which plays such an important role in providing a voice for our sector. Pubs are a crucial part of Scotland’s social fabric, and I’m looking forward to working alongside the many talented and hardworking members of the SBPA to protect and promote the beer and pub sectors in Scotland.”
“We now have a re-opening plan to work towards and pubs and breweries across Scotland will be pleased that at last we are getting some clarity, but we still face huge challenges, not least with the Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill currently progressing through Parliament. If passed it will have a devastating impact on tied pubs across Scotland and at a time when pubs need Parliament’s support more than ever.”
Emma McClarkin, CEO of Scottish Beer and Pub Association said “I am delighted that Edith is joining us as President. It has never been a more pivotal time for breweries and pubs in Scotland as they face the huge task of rebuilding their businesses following a devastating year. So with Edith’s experience as an operator overseeing more than 100 pubs across Scotland, her guidance will be invaluable as we navigate going forward. I speak on behalf of all members when I say how grateful we are to Brian Davidson as his tenure as President comes to close, for championing pubs and breweries in Scotland on behalf of SBPA so passionately and effectively.”
Ends
19 March 2021
About Edith
Edith is the Chief Operating Officer and on the Board of Hawthorn, the Community Pub Co., the 7th largest pub company in the UK with over 100 pubs in Scotland. She is also Head of HR and a member of the Executive Committee of NewRiver REIT plc, a FTSE listed company and parent company of Hawthorn. She is a Chartered Accountant and has over 30 years’ experience, combining Finance, Operational and HR roles, specialising in advising business in strategic and operational matters, and championing a people-first culture.
Press release from the Scottish Beer & Pub Association
Contact:
Becky Haywood, Scottish Beer & Pub Association, 07974132040
Paul Togneri, Scottish Beer & Pub Association, 07502 159 101