Jonathan Neame to become BBPA chairman

The news follows the announcement that Molson Coors chief Executive Mark Hunter, is stepping down after taking up a role as head of the company’s new Central and Eastern European business StarBev. A handover will take place before the end of June.

Neame is currently a BBPA vice chairman and executive board member. He moves from his current role as chairman of the BBPA’s future Beer Group, where he has given strong strategic leadership to the BBPA’s high profile campaigning against excessive beer tax rises, and it’s championing of beer as a category.
 
Jonathan Neame joined Shepherd Neame in 1991. He was company secretary until 1999 when he was appointed managing director. He became chief executive in 2003.  He is also a non-executive director of the St Austell brewery.
 
Neame said:  “In Britain we should all cherish and celebrate the role of beer and pubs. They are vital to the country’s economic, social and cultural life and with the right support should be a driver of growth, investment and job creation. I am passionate about the industry and honoured to step into the role at this time.”
 
BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “I am delighted to welcome Jonathan as our new chairman, who brings huge experience of brewing and pubs.  He is already a great champion of British beer, and also of the need for the industry to work closely together to ensure our voice carries weight with Government.”
 
Stefan Orlowski (Heineken UK Managing Director) is to become BBPA vice chairman and Paul Wells (chief executive, Charles Wells) a BBPA Director.