Julia Leferman, the general manager of the Brewers of Romania, takes up her new role as secretary general of The Brewers of Europe in August 2024. The Beer Idiots talked with Leferman about her priorities in leading an organisation representing 10,000 brewers across Europe.
These include addressing increased public health concerns over alcohol products and proposed EU packaging requirements that are set to add to the economic pressures brewers are facing today.
Leferman was introduced at the Brewers of Europe Forum 2024 in Lille, France on 28 May.
She has 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.
The organisation has been at the forefront of creating the Romanian DRS, the biggest integrated deposit return system in Europe.
The Brewers of Europe President, Lasse Aho, stressed that 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.
“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,” he said.
Leferman takes over the role from Pierre-Olivier Bergeron who oversaw the further professionalisation and establishment of The Brewers of Europe.
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.”
The Brewers of Europe hqs also elected:
- Peer Swinkels, CEO of Royal Swinkels, as member of the board representing the Western Europe region;
- Jorge Villavecchia, director general of Damm, as vice president, succeeding Jonathan Neame, CEO of Shepherd Neame;
- Paolo Lanzarotti, CEO of Asahi Europe & International, on a one-year extension to his mandate as vice-president;
- Lasse Aho on a one-year extension to his mandate as president of The Brewers of Europe.
