
Lesley French
Committee Member
Lesley was appointed a Director of the Australian Distillers Association Board in August 2024. She brings expertise in government relations, policy development, media and public relations and governance to her ADA role and experience in the distilling and marketing of Tasmanian single malt for over 19 years.
She has been the Chair of Whisky Tasmania Limited and its subsidiary Hellyers Road Distillery since 2020 and a board member since 2007. Hellyers Road Distillery is set in the rolling green hills of North West Tasmania and is Australia’s oldest continuously-operating whisky distillery, renowned for its award-winning single malts and whisky creams.
Lesley previously held senior and management positions across executive government in Tasmania, developing and implementing social, economic, training and skills, and education policy.
Lesley is a Graduate of the AICD Company Directors Course and was a member of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) Board for six years until August 2025.
Lesley holds a Doctorate of Philosophy and a Masters in Science.
Lesley has expertise in government relations, policy development, media and public relations, data and statistical analysis. She has held senior and management positions across executive government developing and implementing social, economic and education, training and skills policy. Lesley is a Graduate of the AICD Company Directors
Course and a member of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Board. Lesley has been a WTL Board member since January 2007 and was appointed its Chair in 2020. She is the Chair of the Remuneration and Governance Committee and a member of the Finance Risk and Audit Committee. Lesley holds a Doctorate of
Philosophy, a Masters in Science, and a Bachelor of Education. She is a Director of the Australian Distillers Association.