Gawain Cox
Twenty-five years leading digital strategy and governance for organisations where reputation is everything - now bringing that same rigour to global brewing leadership as Chair of the London Brewers' Alliance.
Two careers, one instinct: build the governance and strategy that let good organisations punch above their weight.
My career has been built around digital transformation, information governance and cyber risk for organisations where reputation and public trust are paramount - advising executive teams, delivering technical programmes with PRINCE2 and Agile, and supporting Heritage Lottery Fund applications totalling over £26m.
In parallel, I've built a second career in craft brewing. I'm Chair of the Board of the London Brewers' Alliance, Co-Founder of Pinnora Brewing, an international beer judge across 30+ competitions, and a Cicerone-accredited Certified Beer Server.
"My ambition is to see London recognised as a world capital of beer heritage and craft - spoken of in the same breath as the US for craft innovation, Belgium for Trappist, and Germany for lager."
I'm now taking on select consulting, non-executive and ambassadorial work spanning both digital leadership and international brewing industry advocacy.
Want the fuller picture - work history, board roles, references?
Download CVWhere digital ambition, governance and brewing craft meet.
I work with organisations at the intersection of digital strategy and international brewing leadership - bringing board-level governance discipline to brewing businesses, and brewing-world credibility to organisations seeking to deepen ties with the independent brewing community.
Digital & Information Governance
For heritage, membership and nonprofit organisations navigating digital transformation.
- Digital strategy & transformation roadmaps
- Information governance & compliance frameworks
- Cyber security risk management
- Stakeholder & senior leadership advisory
Brewing Strategy & Governance
For breweries, trade bodies and beer-adjacent businesses.
- Brand positioning & commercial strategy
- Trade body governance & membership strategy
- E-commerce & digital sales strategy
- Beer quality assessment & judging perspective
Board, NED & Ambassadorial
Actively open to non-executive, trustee and ambassadorial roles.
- Non-executive director / trustee positions
- Brewing industry board & committee roles
- Ambassadorial representation - festivals, guilds
- Judging panels & competition governance
Writing, Speaking & Judging
Commentary and assessment across the beer industry.
- Quoted in trade press incl. The Brewers Journal
- 30+ competitions judged, incl. SIBA & GBBF Finals
- Speaking on digital transformation & beer strategy
- Cicerone / IBD-informed tasting sessions
It's not theoretical. I currently lead the London Brewers' Alliance's global outreach programme - in active dialogue with the Brewers Association (US) on reversing the decline in UK entries to the World Beer Cup, alongside emerging European trade links, backed by original member research I commissioned and ran myself. That's the research-led, relationship-building approach I bring to any engagement.
Board & governance experience, built over fifteen years.
Chairing committees, leading restructures, and managing the stakeholder relationships that keep a board effective - across trade bodies, education and community organisations.
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April 2022 – Present
Chair of the Board - London Brewers' Alliance
Elected to lead a trade body of over 100 member breweries. Restructured sub-committees, created a new Finance Committee, and grew board capacity by four members. Launched an industry mentorship scheme in 2023 advancing diversity & inclusion in brewing, and an export-focused sub-committee the same year exploring post-Brexit international opportunities - the direct precursor to the Alliance's current global outreach with the Brewers Association (US) and European partners.
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March 2020 – April 2022
Vice Chair & Communications Lead - London Brewers' Alliance
Built the Alliance's communications strategy, website and members' forum, driving significant membership engagement growth.
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Nov 2017 – Nov 2021
Governor & Finance Committee Chair - Cannon Lane School
Governance and financial oversight; led senior leadership appraisals, pay reviews and recruitment panels for senior positions.
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Sep 2013 – Aug 2017
Chair, Pay Negotiation Committee - Royal Air Force Museum
Chaired pay negotiation governance during a period of organisational change.
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Dec 2010 – Nov 2016
Vice Chair - Pembroke Park Residents' Association
Developed governance frameworks and frequently deputised for the Chair in external stakeholder interactions.
Full work & voluntary experience, and references, available on request.
Download CVLondon at the centre of a growing global brewing network.
This isn't a vague ambition or wild claim, my focus to form an active global network is ongoing, building on an export-leveraged opportunity, which I first proposed to the LBA in 2023, and now reaching into both the US and Europe.
Reversing the UK's World Beer Cup Decline
In active dialogue with the Brewers Association (US) on why UK entries fell from 50+ in 2018 to just 15. Commissioned and ran an LBA member survey to diagnose the causes - now informing a proposed consolidated-shipping and discount model.
Building US State Guild Relationships
Developing a reciprocal relationship with leading US state brewers' guilds toward a festival exchange model, deeper networking and collaboration opportunities, and greater shared knowledge.
Transatlantic & European Trade
Engaging a US import/export trade partner to explore concrete distribution opportunities for LBA member breweries, alongside the wider post-Brexit EU/international remit the export sub-committee was set up to explore.
In the Field
Credentials & Accreditation
Excellence in Beer
I'm a qualified Cicerone Certified Beer Server, currently studying toward Certified Cicerone, and a Beer Sommelier, while constantly working alongside institutions like HIT Training and the Chartered Institute of Brewing & Distilling - driven by a fundamental desire to keep growing my brewing and beer tasting knowledge, and elevating my craft.
International Beer Judge
30+ Competitions including:
UK: CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain; SIBA Indie Beer Awards; Great Taste Awards; Ealing Beer Festival;
US: Yakima Chief's Alpha King Challenge; Crushies Awards;
EU: international judging in Lyon, Lille, Frankfurt, Florence, Athens. Plus many others.
Industry Accreditation
Member of the Chartered Institute of Brewing & Distilling, the professional body for brewing science and technical education; the British Guild of Beer Writers, the UK's professional body for beer journalists and commentators; and the London Brewers' Alliance, where I sit as Chair of the Board rather than simply a member, representing London's craft breweries at trade and industry level.
In the trade press.
Elected Chair, London Brewers' Alliance
Gawain Cox announced as new Chairman of the London Brewers Alliance, succeeding John Keeling.
Innovation, Collaboration & Advocacy
Q&A on the LBA's mission, mentorship scheme and post-Brexit export strategy.
Serve to Survive: The Vital Innovation of Breweries
Quoted on independent brewers' capital constraints and rising sustainability-minded consumer trends.
Backing SIBA's Indie Beer Campaign
Quoted supporting the UK-wide campaign helping consumers identify genuinely independent breweries.
UK Distribution & Tied-Pub Access
Interviewed by the CEO of Beverage Trade Network / London Beer Competition on the LBA's role.
Brewing technology and sustainability advocacy.
Anglia Ruskin University takes another step forward with their BrewAI sustainable energy reduction app.
Let's talk.
Whether it's a consulting engagement, a board or non-executive position, an ambassadorial role, judging invitation, or a good conversation about digital strategy or beer.
Based in
London, United Kingdom