and David Kitchen of Ballistic Beer Co.
Wayward founder Pete Philip has been announced as the new chair of the Independent Brewers Association (IBA).
Current chair Jamie Cook, who recently stepped down as CEO of Fermentum, is now also retiring from his role at the IBA. As Philip becomes chair, effective immediately, Dave Kitchen, co-founder of Ballistic Beer Co, has been appointed to lead the Advocacy Project Group, of which he has been a member for the last year.
“As part of my retirement plan, I will be spending a large portion of 2020 overseas,” Cooks said in a statement. “With this in mind, I believe it is in the best interests of the IBA for me to step down as chair to ensure that the team and the board are fully supported as we undertake another massive year of resource development, advocacy and event management.
“The board has agreed that the role of chair on the board is best filled by a director who has already had a couple of years’ experience on the board. Whilst this will mean the role of chair could change hands every year it will provide greater continuity and more experience to the position.”
“I have enjoyed my time in the role as IBA chair and whilst it may have been a little more work than I signed up for, I have enjoyed building a strong executive team, merging GBW with the IBA, and establishing a strong set of Project Groups to bring volunteer expertise to the forefront of developing the industry.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity I have had to give back to an industry that has helped me develop and grow personally over many years and has also provided me with such amazing business opportunities and friendships along the way.
“I will be helping with Pete’s transition into the role and will also be driving the recruitment and induction of the general manager into their role over the coming months.
“Pete has been a very active member of the Board and despite the pressures of managing a growing business in Wayward he has led many of the IBA’s developments including recently the development of the Supporter Seal program and leading our advocacy Project Group. I join the rest of the board, and I’m sure all of our members, in wishing Pete all the best as he leads the IBA through 2020.”
Cook has been active within the IBA since its inception and was part of the steering committee which established the CBIA. With Cook as chair, the IBA has introduced a number of initiatives to champion the cause of independently owned beer, such as the Seal of Independence and Indie Beer Day.
“I’m humbled to have been elected by the board to take the chair at the IBA,” Philip told Beer & Brewer. “I have always been a strong believer in the power of like-minded people coming together for a common cause and the indie beer industry has some of the best and most passionate people I have ever met.
“The leadership of my predecessors Jamie Cook and Ben Kooyman have created a strong team and board that has put the IBA in the best position it has ever been.
“I’m looking forward to continuing this momentum particularly in what we’re doing with the indie beer seal to convince consumers of the value of indie beer; growing our skills development to equip the next generation of young brewers and the work we’re doing with government to help build a sustainable Australian industry.
“If I have one big objective for the next year it’s definitely to use the IBA to harness the power of the community of indie brewers to grow our industry; getting everyone moving in the same direction is a bit like “herding cats” but a great indie beer at the end of the day with a fellow brewer makes it all worth it!”