Nik Antona to step down as chair of CAMRA

Nik Antona, chairman and national executive member of CAMRA, has announced he will be stepping down from both roles with immediate effect due to a serious illness.

He had volunteered at the Campaign for Real Ale for more than 20 years, having started out at his local branch in Burton-on-Trent before moving onto regional and national director positions.

He was most recently chairman for the past five and a half years.

Antona said: “It has been a privilege to serve as CAMRA Chairman. It has been a challenging time for the organisation, but we have emerged from Covid and the cost-of-living crisis in as good a position as possible, thanks to the tireless dedication of our active members and volunteers, and the support of the wider membership across the country.”

Ash Corbett-Collins, vice-chairman of CAMRA, added: “I’d like to express my thanks to Nik on behalf of my colleagues on the National Executive, and the wider membership, for the time and dedication Nik has shown to the campaign over his long involvement with the organisation.

“We all wish him a speedy recovery from his illness and look forward to welcoming him back as an active member of CAMRA soon.”

Meanwhile, Tom Stainer, chief executive of CAMRA, said: “The entire CAMRA staff wishes Nik and his family well as he rightly focuses on treatment and recovery. Nik has led the organisation through one of its most challenging periods and we’d like to thank him for all his hard work in an incredibly difficult and often thankless role.”

CAMRA’s National Executive revealed it will be conducting an election process to select a new chair for the Campaign for Real Ale.

Image: CAMRA website