About us
Secretariat
The Secretariat of the European Spirits Organisation - CEPS is based in Brussels and plays a pivotal role in supporting the aims and objectives of the organisation and those of its national association members.
The Secretariat's role includes:
- Representing the interests of its members to the EU institutions;
- Providing information about the EU spirits industry;
- Supporting CEPS members across the EU on a variety of spirits-based issues;
- Promoting the European Spirits Organisation - CEPS, work to members, EU institutions, the media and other stakeholders;
- Events.
The European Spirits Organisation - CEPS' Secretariat runs under the leadership of Paul Skehan, Director General.
Paul Skehan joined the European Spirits Organisation – CEPS on 1 November 2011 as our Director General. Paul worked as the Director of the European Retail Round Table for the past 4 years. Previously, he was Deputy Secretary General of EUROCHAMBRES, the association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and prior to that as the CEO of the Irish Chamber national association.
Marie Audren joined the European Spirits Organisation - CEPS in October 2004. She is our Trade and Economic affairs Director. Marie worked previously for MEDEF, the French Employers Association.
marie.audren@europeanspirits.org
Laure Alexandre joined the CEPS secretariat in March 2011. She is our Alcohol & Society Issues Manager. Laure previously worked 5 years as policy manager for the European Advertising Standards Alliance where she was in charge of the self-regulation committee and acquired expertise in standards for alcoholic beverages commercial communication.
laure.alexandre@europeanspirits.org
Ignacio Sánchez Recarte joined the European Spirits Organisation – CEPS in November 2011 as our Internal Market and Sustainability Issues Manager. Previously, Ignacio worked as the Director of Innovation and Environmental Affairs of Bodegas Chivite wine group and prior to that, for more than 6 years, he was Head of the Unit Economy and Law and Head of the Unit Viticulture at the International Organisation of Vine and Wine – OIV.
ignacio.sanchez@europeanspirits.org
Annette Bossaert is the European Spirits Organisation - CEPS Executive Secretary. Responsibilities include accounting, office supplies, support with event organisation and keeping the members extranet up-to-date.
annette.bossaert@europeanspirits.org
Laura Graham is the European Spirits Organisation - CEPS Office Assistant. Responsibilities include keeping the contacts database up-to-date, update and administration of the drinksinitiatives.eu database and CEPS website.
laura.graham@europeanspirits.org
Last updated on 24 November 2011.