Mark Hunter to step down as BBPA chairman
Mark Hunter, chief executive of Molson Coors, has announced he is to step down as chairman of the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).
Hunter, who has been chairman since December 2011, decided to give up the role because he will soon be taking up his post as head of a new, Europe-based business unit following Molson Coors' acquisition of StarBev.
He joined Bass Brewers in the 1980s and became marketing director in 1997. He transferred to Molson in Canada in 2005 as chief commercial officer, following the formation of Molson Coors. He returned to the UK as chief executive for Molson Coors UK and Ireland and is a member of the Molson Coors global executive team. He is also a Portman Group Council member and a trustee of the Drinkaware Trust.
Hunter previously chaired the BBPA's finance committee from 2010 to 2011, and has been a member of the organisation's board since 2009.
Commenting on Hunter stepping down, BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said she wanted to thank him for his huge contribution to the BBPA over the past four years.
"He has given clear leadership for our strategic objectives, especially on how to persuade policy-makers we need a growth agenda for the brewing and hospitality industry," she said. "Having a chairman who is running a major company in the sector has also given us a wealth of knowledge and experience - and, of course, a passion for beer and pubs. He will be very much missed."
The BBPA said its board would discuss the appointment of a new chairman over the coming weeks.
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By Kerstin Kühn
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