The Independent Brewers Association (IBA) announced a number of new board members, including a new chair, following its annual general meeting this week.
Young Henrys co-founder Richard Adamson takes over as chair from fellow inner west brewery owner, Peter Philip of Wayward, who spent two years at the helm – a challenging time for the beer industry due to the COVID pandemic and its impact on beer and hospitality. As he stepped down, he pointed to changes in excise, securing industry funding, and IBA membership growth as highlights of his time.
“It’s testament to people seeing there is real power in being part of an association and we can achieve great things together,” Peter said in a statement.
“It’s been really satisfying, and the people I’ve met, and I’ve gotten to know have become lifelong friends.”
The AGM also saw three new directors elected: KAIJU!'s Callum Reeves, BentSpoke co-founder Richard Watkins, and Ballistic's chief operations officer Lauren Jack all joining the board. They take up positions on the board vacated by David Kitchen (Ballistic) and Johnny Latta (Nomad, ExperienceIT and Three Tails in Mudgee), with Peter also stepping down.
Richard Adamson brings experience in the local craft beer industry stretching back more than 15 years, and is best known these days as one of the owners of Newtown's Young Henrys. Over the past year, he has taken on an increasingly high profile role within the IBA in his role on their People Project as the association worked on a Code of Conduct in response to allegations of sexual assault and abuse in the industry both here and overseas. You can read more about him in this entry in our end-of-decade Advent Calendar series from December 2019.
Three existing board members – Dereck Hales (Bad Shepherd), Clare Clouting (Gage Roads Brewing), and Corinna Steeb (Prancing Pony) – remain in their positions.
The full media release is available below.
Independent Brewers Association welcomes new Chair, and three new Board Directors
The Independent Brewers Association welcomed a new Chair during its Annual General Meeting yesterday, with Peter Philip’s (Wayward Brewing) tenure as Chair ending after two years, seeing Richard Adamson (Young Henrys Brewery) assume the role.
David Kitchen (Ballistic Beer) also stepped down as Treasurer, and earlier in the year Johnny Latta (Nomad Brewing) resigned to focus on opening the new brewery in Mudgee.
As a result, three new Board Directors were voted in by members, from 12 nominations.
The new Board Directors are:
- Callum Reeves (Co-founder of KAIJU! Beer)
- Richard Watkins (Co-founder of BentSpoke Brewing)
- Lauren Jack (Chief Operations Officer at Ballistic Beer)
Outgoing Chair, Peter Philip noted the changes in excise remission, winning funding for the industry 10-year blueprint, and membership growth as highlights of his tenure.
“It’s testament to people seeing there is real power in being part of an association and we can achieve great things together,” Philip said. “It’s been really satisfying, and the people I’ve met, and I’ve gotten to know have become lifelong friends.”
Richard Adamson, new IBA Chair, thanked the outgoing Directors for their hard work, guiding the IBA through the difficult circumstances of the last 18 months, and said he is looking forward to working with the team to deliver on the 10-year blueprint currently being developed.
The Directors join existing Board members Derek Hales (Bad Shepherd Brewing), Clare Clouting (Gage Roads Brewing), and Corinna Steeb (Prancing Pony).
It’s an exciting new phase for the IBA, as the industry exits COVID and builds on a decade of hard work. The organisation couldn’t be better positioned, with the right people in place, to continue to help indie beer mature while guiding its growth throughout Australia.
