The Automatic Vending Association (AVA) has appointed Jonathan Hart as the new Chief Executive to run the organization.
Jonathan Hart graduated in History and Italian from Manchester University. Then, after gaining a postgraduate diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Central Lancashire, Jonathan Hart began his career working for newspapers including Scotland on Sunday and radio outlets including the BBC. He then moved into public relations and public affairs, fields in which he has worked for the last 20 years. During that time his clients have included the Russian gas giant, Gazprom, the drinks manufacturer, Diageo, and the oil producer BP. Most recently, Jonathan has been running the campaigning group, the Tobacco Retailers’ Alliance, which represents over 20,000 independent retailers across the UK.
Hart commented, “I’m delighted to be joining the AVA at what is a very interesting time for the organization. I feel that the combination of my journalism and communications experience will be extremely useful assets in building on the success of the AVA. I’m keen to raise awareness of the key issues affecting the industry at a media and a political level so that the needs of the membership are met.”
David Ward, the Chairman of the AVA Board, commented, “Jonathan brings a wealth of experience to the AVA from his media, public relations and trade association backgrounds. He has had great success with his work in press relations and public affairs to enhance the profile of the independent retailer sector, which often does not get its voice heard. We look forward to Jonathan bringing that expertise to the vending industry and ensuring that the interests of the industry are recognized and supported.”
