A New Era: From the IBD to the CIBD

This year’s Presidential Dinner marked a significant milestone as we transition to become the Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers beginning in January 2025.

Held at the historic Brewers' Hall, the evening started with Deputy President Raphaël Grisoni welcoming all attendees and expressed his excitement about our transition to the Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers. He extended his appreciation to Dr Katherine Smart, Lorne MacKillop, and our new Trustees Georgina Young, Jaideep Chandrasekharan and Vikram Damodaran.

Left to right: Will Calvert (Honorary Treasurer), Bhavya Mandanna (Immediate Past President), Raphaël Grisoni (Deputy President), Dr Megan Sheehy (President), Jaideep Chandrasekharan (Trustee), Georgina Young (Trustee), Sandra Stelma (Trustee).

During the evening, the three retiring Trustees - Steve Price, Douglas Murray, and David Smith - were recognised for their contribution to the Institute. Their efforts have been instrumental in the growth and development of the organisation and have steered us during the chartership process.

Left to right: David Smith (Former Trustee), Douglas Murray (Former Trustee), Dr Megan Sheehy (President), Steve Price (Former Trustee).

The guests indulged in a delightful three-course meal, paired with fine wines and beverages generously provided by our sponsors, Windsor & Eton Brewery and St Austell Brewery. The venue itself, rich in history within the drinks community and its deep relationship with the institute, added to the significance of the evening, tying in beautifully with our organisation’s long-standing association with the drinks industry.

Brewers' Hall

In her speech, Dr Megan Sheehy expressed her excitement to be part of such a significant occasion as the President and her pride in witnessing the approval of the chartership motion at the AGM earlier in the day. She acknowledged the progress made by the IBD, from improvements in exam processes to the successful launch of many new short courses. Special thanks and recognition were given to our volunteers, whose dedication is vital to the fabric of the organisation. She concluded by thanking her predecessor, Bhavya Mandanna, for her leadership through challenging times and presenting her with a Past President's Medal.

Bhavya Mandanna (Immediate Past President) and Dr Megan Sheehy (President)

Left to right: Raphaël Grisoni (Deputy President), Steve Wilkinson (Southern Section secretary), Jayne Hewitt (Great Northern Section Secretary), Dominika Kwarciak (Midland Section Secretary), (Dr Megan Sheehy (President), Stephen Wilkinson (International Section - European Secretary),  Zane Barnes (Midland Section Chair), Jan Hodel-Keane (Irish Section Chair), Iain Kenny (Great Northern Section Chair).

With 2025 on the horizon and our new identity as the Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers, we look forward to the future with enthusiasm. The granting of chartered status is a testament to the hard work of our community, and we are excited to continue providing gold-standard education and professional development for the global brewing and distilling industry.