Dr Tim Cooper, the Managing Director of Coopers Brewery, has announced his retirement after 23 years at the helm. Effective from 1 March, Dr Cooper will step down, passing the leadership torch to Michael Shearer, who has served as Coopers’ General Manager for the past six years.
Despite retiring from his role as Managing Director, Dr Cooper will remain involved in the company as a Director and Chief Brewer, continuing to contribute to Coopers’ brewing and technical operations.
The company will continue to be family-owned and run, with the Board, chaired by fifth-generation family member Mel Cooper, having a majority of Directors who are members of the Cooper family. Dr Cooper’s ongoing involvement as a Director and Chief Brewer ensures that his expertise and vision will continue to guide the company’s brewing and technical direction.
Dr Cooper’s path to brewing is an unconventional one. He initially studied medicine at the University of Adelaide and practiced as a registrar in cardiology in the UK before his passion for brewing led him to pursue brewing science in Bristol. In 1990, he joined Coopers Brewery as Technical Manager, and over the years, he advanced through the ranks, becoming Operations Manager and, in 2002, Managing Director, all while maintaining the role of Chief Brewer.
Reflecting on his career, Dr Cooper told The Shout, “To lead Coopers Brewery over the past 23 years has been both a privilege and a fulfilment. We have an impressive team at Coopers, and together we have achieved more than what any of us could have imagined.”
Under Dr Cooper’s leadership, Coopers saw significant expansion, including the relocation to the state-of-the-art Regency Park brewery and the opening of a world-class visitor centre. One of the standout achievements of his career was the establishment of Premium Beverages, a joint venture he initiated in 2002 to expand Coopers’ reach beyond South Australia.
“It was transformative for the company,” he said, noting that it helped increase Coopers’ national market share from 1.5 per cent to five per cent in just 15 years. The growth of Coopers’ sales team from 10 employees in South Australia to 65 across the country was critical to this success.
Another significant achievement for Dr Cooper was the revitalisation of Coopers’ maltings operation. His father, Bill Cooper, had always dreamed of bringing maltings back to the brewery site. In 2017, Dr Cooper and his team achieved this goal, adding another dimension to Coopers’ capabilities and further enhancing its vertical integration.
Dr Cooper’s leadership was also crucial in preserving Coopers’ family ownership – a distinction the company takes great pride in.
“We’re the largest Australian-owned brewery, and that’s something we’re really proud of,” he told The Shout, referring to Coopers’ rise to the top position in 2011 after Carlton & United Breweries was purchased by SABMiller. The family-owned nature of Coopers is a point of pride for Dr Cooper.
“It’s important to us because of the heritage it represents,” he explained. “We’ve now got the sixth generation involved, and that longevity and commitment are something that makes Coopers special.”
Dr Tim Cooper’s contribution to the brewing industry extends beyond Coopers. He is a former President of the Institute of Brewing and Distilling and was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to the brewing industry, professional organisations, and the community. Additionally, in 2006, he established the Coopers Foundation to collect proceeds from brewery tours, which has since raised $8.2 million for Australian charities.
As his retirement approaches, Dr Cooper has great confidence in Shearer’s leadership abilities, saying, “Michael has the experience, knowledge, and respect of his team. He’ll take Coopers to new heights.
“Michael is an exceptional leader who has been instrumental to Coopers’ growth. I step down knowing that the company is on a steady path and will be in safe hands under Michael’s stewardship.”
Shearer expressed that it is an honour to be appointed as Managing Director of Coopers and shared his admiration for Dr Cooper.
“Tim is one of the true legends of Australian brewing. His fearless and inspiring leadership has seen Coopers grow to become the country’s largest independent brewery, while remaining authentic and true to its heritage,” he said.
“Under Tim’s leadership, Coopers has cemented its reputation for brewing great tasting, value-for-money Australian beer. In addition to maintaining our strength in DIY brewing products, we have also become a leading supplier of malt and recently diversified into whisky production.
“I look forward to working with my fellow Board members, including sixth-generation Andrew Cooper, as well as other sixth-generation Coopers currently within the business. Along with our management team and our dedicated employees, we will continue to build on Coopers’ success in the years to come.”
Looking ahead, Dr Cooper is excited to continue supporting Coopers in his role as Chief Brewer, focusing on brewing and process improvement. He also shared his confidence in the new visitor centre, which includes a microbrewery and distillery, and looks forward to the production of Coopers’ first single malt whisky, expected in 2028.
Dr Cooper also shared his advice for future leaders in brewing and business, saying: “Enjoy working with the people you work with, and maintain good communication. Respect is important, and don’t be afraid to make decisions. We all make mistakes, but we need to learn from them.”
As Dr Cooper prepares for this new chapter, he remains deeply committed to the values that have driven Coopers Brewery’s success: quality, innovation, and family ownership. Under Shearer’s leadership, Coopers will continue to thrive, ensuring that Coopers remains at the forefront of the Australian brewing industry for years to come.