Miles Beale has been the chief executive of The Wine & Spirit Trade Association since mid-2012. Prior to his decade-plus as the head of the London-based industry body, which holds a register of around 350 members, his career has included a handful of roles in various UK governmental departments, including two-and-a-half years with the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Global Drinks Intel: Is the role of a trade association the same now as it’s always been?
WSTA chief executive Miles Beale: The fundamentals are still the
‘There couldn’t be an industry more impacted by Brexit’ – The Wine & Spirit Trade Association chief executive Miles Beale speaks to Global Drinks Intel
As head of the UK-based Wine & Spirit Trade Association, Miles Beale has held the lead longer than those before him. But then, he’s had a lot to deal with over the last 12 years.

Olly has been reporting on the beverage industry as a B2B journalist since 2003. He spent 18 years at Just Drinks, 16 of which as managing editor. Since joining Global Drinks Intel in 2022, he's interviewed the CEOs for brand owners including AB InBev, Campari Group, Carlsberg, Heineken and Suntory Global Spirits and has a bulging contacts book from across beverage alcohol worldwide.



