Morning Advertiser up for Britvic awards

The Morning Advertiser has been shortlisted in three categories for the Britvic-sponsored Business Food & Drink Journalist of the Year Awards. The MA itself is up for Publication of the Year, Andrew Pring for Editor of the Year and reporter Ewan Turney for Newcomer of the Year. The ceremony takes place on Friday22 April at Sketch on Conduit Street, London. Guest of honour is former Daily Mirror editor Piers Morgan.

Swinburn to step into Kendall's shoes

Coors Brewers has announced that chief executive Peter Kendall is to retire. Peter Swinburn, a 30-year Coors veteran and current president of Coors Brewing Worldwide, will replace Kendall from 1 May. "I can think of no better person thanPeter Swinburn to fill the position of chief executive officer of the UK-based operations," said Leo Kiely, chief executive of Molson Coors Brewing Company. "The depth and knowledge he has of the beer business in the United Kingdom, combined with his experience in worldwide operations, makes him a true global player."

Report tips transfer of SIA to HSE

A new report has floated the idea that the Security Industry Association (SIA) should be disbanded, with its functions transferred to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). The Hampton Report on the cost of Government bureaucracy, conducted by Sainsbury's chairman Philip Hampton, wants between 31 and 63 national regulators to be consolidatedinto just seven bodies over the next two to four years. The report, which has been submitted to the Treasury, said there is a case for transferring the SIA's remit for doorstaff licensing, and other areas, to the HSE. However, it is not expected that the final decision on the SIA - which was established just two yearsago - will be made until 2007. l SIA deadline passes - p3

Trade mourns death of Ken Roberts

Ken Roberts, a Licensed Victuallers Association (LVA) stalwart, has died aged 76. Roberts ran a number of pubs on Teeside after entering the trade in 1973 but continued his work for the LVA movement right up until his death. He was a formerchairman of the old National LVA north region and a founder member of its successor body the Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations (FLVA) as well as secretary of Middlesbrough LVA for many years. FLVA chief executive Tony Payne said: "Ken gave the LVA movement unstinting service even after his retirement and was always available to help out when needed. He will be sadly missed by the FLVA and the trade." A large crowd of family friends and trade colleagues attended the funeral at Seaton Carew yesterday (Wednesday).