Drinkaware appoints Industy Relationship Manager

15 Jan 2010

Alcohol awareness charity Drinkaware has appointed drinks industry consultant, Paul Hegarty, to help develop and manage its relationships and communications with industry investors.

The appointment of Paul Hegarty follows 50 alcohol-related companies including leading producers, pub operators, supermarkets and off-licence companies committing more than £5 million per year for the next three years to support the charity.

Formerly Head of Communication for Molson Coors, Hegarty has worked in the alcoholic drinks sector for over 20 years, specialising in communication, public affairs and corporate responsibility. From January 2010, as Drinkaware’s Industry Relationship Manager, he will support the charity to communicate its activities with funders and encourage them to help spread the responsible drinking message to consumers.

Paul Hegarty, says: “The substantial financial support from the industry for Drinkaware clearly demonstrates that alcohol producers and retailers fully understand that alcohol abuse is hurting their businesses. I will be helping find ways for funding companies to work in partnership with Drinkaware to change Britain’s drinking culture; to help people understand how they can enjoy a drink without hurting themselves or other members of society.”

Drinkaware Chief Executive, Chris Sorek, says: “Our conversations with funders have shown they are keen to explore ways to amplify Drinkaware’s campaigns and Paul’s considerable industry experience will help us engage the drinks industry in our efforts to promote responsible drinking. We are thrilled to have someone of Paul’s calibre and experience on our staff.”

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For more information please contact Becky Medhurst in the Drinkaware media team on 020 7307 7453 bmedhurst@drinkaware.co.uk

Notes to Editors:
• Paul Hegarty has a degree in Biochemistry from Sheffield University and a PhD in Plant Tissue Culture from the Wolfson Institute of Biotechnology. Following postdoctoral research at Kings College London, he joined Bass Brewers in 1986 where he held a variety of management positions in the Research and Quality functions. He was appointed External Communication Manager in 2001, shortly before Bass became Coors Brewers where he was responsible for the “Beer Naturally” Campaign and for publishing Coors Brewers first Corporate Social Responsibility report in 2004. He was appointed Head of Communications in 2005 and was responsible for developing Molson Coors public affairs and alcohol responsibility agendas in the UK. Paul left Molson Coors in 2009 to establish a Communication and Public Affairs consultancy. He lives in Staffordshire with his wife and two children.
• Drinkaware provides consumers with information to make informed decisions about the effects of alcohol on their lives and lifestyles. Our public education programmes, grants, expert information, and resources help create awareness and effect positive change. An independent charity established in 2007, Drinkaware works alongside the medical profession, the alcohol industry and government to achieve its goals. For further information visit www.drinkaware.co.uk
• Drinkaware advises men to stay within the recommended guidelines of 3-4 units of alcohol per day (equivalent of a pint and a half of lager) and women to stay within 2-3 units per day (equivalent of a 175ml glass of wine).

Page last updated by: Unknown, 10 May 2012.