The AVA appoints new board of directors

The Automatic Vending Association (AVA) has appointed its new Board of Directors, bringing together a diverse and highly experienced group of industry professionals from across the vending and automated retail sector. The new board spans operations, technology, finance, food and beverages, and industry representation, reflecting the AVA’s commitment to broad and balanced leadership.

Top row – Chris Skipper, NVCS (Chair); Natalie Baker, Westways Vending; Tom Williams, Coinadrink (Treasurer); Middle row – Richard Brinsley, Westomatic; Michelle Hefferon, NIVO/The Vending People; Carl Hunter, Kepak; Bottom row – Thomas Ward, Excel Vending; Jason Vincent, Boost inc; Anna Willkins, Barry Callebaut

Leadership

Leading the new board is Chris Skipper of NVCS, who takes the role of Chair. Skipper brings over four decades of hands-on industry experience, having first entered vending in 1984 through a family business before joining NVCS, where he became a director in 2006. A long-standing member of the AVA Technical Committee, Skipper has been a consistent advocate for raising industry standards and developing training for technical staff.

Serving as Treasurer is Tom Williams, Managing Director of Coinadrink Ltd. Williams has spent his career in the family vending business, bringing a decade of retail management experience back to the industry when he rejoined in 2015, and taking the helm as MD in 2022. A current member of the AVA Environmental Committee, he is focused on driving innovation, best practice and the reputation of vending operators across the membership.

Operations and Finance

Representing the operational and financial backbone of the industry are Natalie Baker and Richard Brinsley. Baker, Managing Director at Westways Vending, has spent 20 years within the family business and is the 2026 Vendies winner for Woman of the Year (operator) and Family Business of the Year. Joining her is Brinsley, MD of Westomatic Vending Services Ltd., whose career in vending spans a remarkable 57 years.

Industry representation

Michelle Hefferon, General Manager of NIVO at Montagu Group Ltd., brings over 30 years of experience across the vending and drinks industry to the board. Hefferon has an exceptional breadth of knowledge spanning operations, supply chains, payment systems and sustainability. Her appointment as board member guarantees strong, experienced representation for both operators and suppliers within the AVA membership. Alongside her, Thomas Ward, Managing Director of Excel Vending Ltd., further strengthens operator representation on the board.

Operations and Finance

Thomas Ward is a Chartered Accountant who has led finance and IT teams across a range of industries, working to ensure they were seen as trusted partners in delivering business objectives. He joined Excel Vending as part of the Senior Management Team in 2016 and has since been involved in a broad range of functions including finance, logistics, IT project management and procurement, before taking on the role of Managing Director. He is focused on continuing to evolve the business to meet customer expectations and deliver the highest standards.

Food, beverages and commercial

Bringing expertise from the food and beverage supply side are Carl Hunter and Anna Wilkins. Hunter, Account Controller for Automated Retail & New Business in the Foods Division at Kepak, has spent 13 years driving innovation in automated retail, following earlier roles at Coca-Cola. His commercial insight and forward-thinking approach to the food-to-go and automated retail space are assets. Wilkins, National Account Manager at Barry Callebaut Beverages, joins the AVA board with a strong track record of building long-term commercial relationships across the UK vending sector.

Technology and innovation

Rounding out the board is Jason Vincent, Chief Technology and Product Officer and Co-founder of Boost Inc. Vincent’s career in vending technology spans decades and has built an international reputation for innovation in automated retail, spanning vending, coffee, fridges and micro-markets. His expertise will be central to helping the AVA and its members navigate the evolving technology landscape.

David Llewellyn, chief executive of the AVA, said: “We are delighted to welcome our new and existing board members, each of whom brings a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for the vending and automated retail industry. This board represents the full breadth of our membership and I am confident they will play a pivotal role in helping the AVA deliver for its members. These are exciting times for our industry and having such a talented and dedicated group of individuals guiding the association puts us in an excellent position to face the opportunities and challenges ahead.”

Chris Skipper, incoming Chair of the AVA Board, commented: “It is a privilege to be taking on the role of Chair alongside such an experienced and passionate group of individuals. Between us, we bring decades of hands-on knowledge from every corner of the vending and automated retail industry and that breadth is something I believe will be a real strength for the AVA and its members. My focus will be on making sure the association continues to be a powerful voice for the industry, championing the standards, training and innovation that will drive our sector forward. I am looking forward to getting to work.”