The Independent Brewers Association (IBA) has announced that it is looking for three to five of its full brewery members to join its Board of Directors.
The move comes after Clare Clouting and Lauren Jack retired and Matthew Shortal and Chris Cefela’s 12-month terms came to an end.
The IBA said: “The Board of Directors is the body responsible for setting the strategy and overseeing the Team.
“Elected Directors bring their unique perspectives to make decisions and act in a way that are in the best interest of the IBA.
“The Board are cultural custodians of the organisation, which includes setting, promoting and monitoring the tone of the organisation and the independent brewing industry more broadly.”
Independent brewers are facing considerable change and challenges right now as cost of living increases impact consumer purchasing and preferences, in addition to the financial strains which have seen a number of craft breweries close or go into voluntary administration.
The IBA added: “This presents significant challenges but also the opportunity to lean into the innovation and creativity that sparked so much of the ‘craft revolution’ over the last decade.
“The IBA is facing these challenges head on – we are being dynamic, changing our own strategy, structure and operations, advocating more than we ever have and trying hard to address the systemic issues in the beer industry. All while keeping our eye on the prize of a vibrant and high-quality beer industry for years to come.”
The association said a Director must have the following:
- Knowledge of a Director’s responsibilities – includes an understanding of the role as well as the legal, ethical, fiduciary and financial responsibilities;
- Strategic expertise – the ability to review the strategy through constructive questioning and suggestion and contribute to the effective decision making of the Board;
- Industry Knowledge – experience in the brewing sector supply chain or in a similar industry or organisation.
In addition to help have a Board that reflects industry diversity, the IBA is seeking nominations from:
- broad geographic representation of member breweries including regional representation.
- The smallest to the largest member breweries.
- Out members with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women, people who identify as LGBTIQ+, people with a disability and those who are neurodiverse.
To compliment its current Board make up, the IBA is specifically seeking Directors with the experience in:
- Governance/legal
- Information technology;
- Government relations;
- Environment and sustainability;
- Data and insights.
Nominations are now open and will close on 2 April, full details on what the IBA wants and how to nominate are on the Independent Brewers Association website.