The former CEO of Retail Drinks, Julie Ryan, has joined the Endeavour Group, owners of the BWS and Dan Murphy’s retail chains.

She will take on an executive role as head of external affairs and sustainability on the leadership team, starting in late October.

Ryan left her role at Retail Drinks, which represents the interests of packaged liquor retailers, in June, having helped found the organisation in 2018.

She has been replaced there by chief operating officer Michael Waters.

In a LinkedIn post regarding her move, she said it was a privilege to join the Endeavour team.

“I will have the opportunity to build on Endeavour Drinks’ great relationships with customers, communities, regulators and government, and will also have responsibility for establishing a sustainability strategy outlining how Endeavour Drinks activates and develops the positive role it plays throughout Australia.

“On a personal note, I have a real love for the people, businesses and stories in the liquor industry and I cannot wait to re-engage with them.”

Endeavour managing director Steve Donohue said they were “delighted” to have Ryan joining the team.

“Julie has an impressive drinks industry CV through her former roles as General Counsel and Company Secretary at Accolade Wines and more recently as the founding CEO of Retail Drinks Australia where she led the organisation through a major restructure.

“Julie will use her skills and extensive industry network to build on Endeavour Drinks’ great relationships with customers, communities, regulators and government, and to bring to life a sustainability strategy outlining how Endeavour Drink’s activates and develops the positive role they play throughout Australia.”