SIBA names new chairman and unveils new structure
The Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) has named Guy Sheppard of Exe Valley Brewery as its new chairman, succeeding Keith Bott.
SIBA's structure is also set to change, following a vote at its AGM, which will see the merger of the management of the trade association and the commercial arm, until now run as a separate entity.
The new unifying structure follows an in-depth strategic review of SIBA, developed around a vision for the organisation to ‘build the future of British beer' and examining both its trade association activities including political lobbying, training and membership services, as well as its successful commercial wing.
Under the new structure, the unified board will comprise 24 trustees from SIBA's eight regions, a new managing director and finance director, as well as three non-executive directors. The trustees will, as currently, set strategy for and ratify decisions by the executive, led by the MD.
SIBA's commercial arm, founded in 2002 by commercial director Nick Stafford, has grown to a business with sales of £12m last year, largely due to the success of the Direct Delivery Scheme, DDS, which has secured listings for thousands of local beers in pubs that would otherwise have been closed to them. Last year, DDS supplied SIBA members' beers to around 2,400 pubs and sales through the scheme increased by 24% by value.
Bott served as chairman from 2002-2006 and then from 2011-14. He said: "I'm delighted to be handing the chairman's baton to Guy, who has been a valued SIBA trustee for many years. He takes office at the start of a new, exciting chapter for SIBA and I am confident that he will do an excellent job, helping to take the restructured organisation forward to the benefit of our members and of British beer and brewing overall."
Guy Sheppard co-founded Exe Valley brewery, in Silverton, Devon, with Richard Barron of Barron's Brewery, established in 1984. He is now the sole owner and remains a hands on brewer at the brewery, which produces 25 barrels a week.
The AGM also ratified the election to vice chairman of Jim Kenyon of Hereford Brewery.
New SIBA chairman Guy Sheppard of Exe Valley Brewery is pictured (left) with retiring chairman Keith Bott.
