The Institute of Brewing & Distilling appoints new CEO

The Institute of Brewing & Distilling (IBD) has appointed Tom Shelston as Chief Executive Officer, effective February 1, 2023.

Shelston was preceded by Douglas Murray, IBD Interim Chief Executive Officer and Immediate Past President of the Institute, who will be continuing in the London-based organisation as a Trustee of the Board.

Shelston brings to the IBD a ‘wealth of experience gained across several sectors helping non-profit and membership organisations implement growth strategies based on member and audience engagement and build high-value partnerships’. With expertise in change management, audience insight and segmentation, marketing, operations and strategy, the IBD Board of Trustees says the new CEO is the perfect fit to help the IBD meet its plans for growth and members engagement.

Shelston has delivered projects for the Royal Horticultural Society and the National Trust among other national and global organisations, increasing their market share and commercial performance on the back of creating highly engaged membership communities.

His initial responsibilities will be to scale the IBD's global reach to create a well-connected and strong community of professionals in the brewing, distilling and allied industries.

The Institute of Brewing & Distilling was originally established as The Laboratory Club in 1886. From inception, its mission has been to provide excellence in technical education for professional brewers and distillers and associated suppliers.

Over 100,000 industry professionals have received their technical education from the organization. The IBD is a global institution with more than 3,000 members across 90 countries. Every year, around 4,000 professionals take its qualifications.