Dr. Bamforth writes: 

I am proud to be President of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling, whose origins date back to 1886. Headquartered in London, UK, the institute's mission is "the advancement of education and professional development in the science and technologies of brewing, distilling and related industries". There are more than 4,700 members globally, divided into sections. 

In March of this year I was privileged to be deeply involved in the biennial Africa Section Convention, held in Maputo, Mozambique. In alternate years the Asia-Pacific Section holds their convention, and in 2016 that will be in Sydney, Australia. 

I have been an active participant in IBD events since first joining the industry in 1978 and when the organization was known as the Institute of Brewing. Apart from being a member of the Editorial Board of the Institute's prestigious journal, I was for 10 years a member of the Board of Examiners (the IBD has a wide-range of qualifications at various levels) and Chairman of the International section. 

I have spoken to every section of the institute (in the last couple of years for instance I have spoken to all five sections based in the British Isles in diverse locations) and published extensively in the journal. As President, I chair the Board of Trustees as well as the Council in which the section representatives meet to discuss needs and aspirations. For 129 years, then, this organization has played an essential role in addressing the fundamental scientific nature of beer brewing -- and now distilling -- and in the education of those who are responsible for producing the world's great beers and spirits. Membership is growing year on year, as are entries into the IBD's multiple examinations.