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As it enters the new decade Fermentum is continuing to focus on building a conscious and sustainable business.The board is announcing a couple of key people moves after Chairman Jamie Cook stepped back from his executive role at the end of 2019.

Ben Summons now takes the role of CEO of the Fermentum family of businesses which includes Stone & Wood Brewing Co, Fixation Brewing Co, Granite Belt Cider Co, Forest for the Trees and the Square Keg sales and distribution business.

Fermentum operates each member of its family as discreet business units and Ben’s role is to coordinate the collaboration and collective efforts of each of the entities together with all of the functional and operational elements.

Ben has been leading the Stone & Wood business for close to three and a half years and over that time has led its continued evolution as it more than doubled in size over that period.

“I’m excited to be taking on a broader role within the family at such an exciting time,” said Ben. “With a strong portfolio of discreetly positioned businesses, a range of scalable brewing facilities, and an amazing team who are also mostly co-owners, we are well placed to meet the challenges and opportunities that will emerge over the next few years.”

With Ben moving into this role the Board is happy to announce the appointment of Nick Boots into the role of General Manager of Stone & Wood Brewing Co. Since joining the family in 2018 Nick has played a key role in the continued growth of the Stone & Wood business as its Head of Sales.

“It is a real honour to be given the opportunity to lead such an amazing business,” Nick said. “We have been working hard over the last couple of years to build on the strongplatform thathas been created by the founders,Benand the amazing Stone & Wood team. Whilst we continue to grow Pacific Ale at double digit pace,we have developed greater depth in our portfolio of brands with both Green Coast Lager and Cloud CatcherPale Alealsoboth in very strongdouble digitgrowth. In addition,brands like The Gatherer and the Counter Culture range are highlighting our ability to innovate and explore more spaces within the market.”

We are confident there is a strong leadership team in place who have a depth of industry experience to draw upon as well as continuing to be supported and mentored by the three founders and the Board.

The beer market in Australia is experiencing a period of turbulent change and with the pending merger of CUB and Asahi, Fermentum is set to become the fourth largest brewer in the country. We are incredibly humbled by this but also recognise that it is the result of years of hard work by all of the team.

It is encouraging to see that Fermentum is on track to achieve a sales volume of 15 million litres in F20 with a growth rate in excess of 15%, highlighting it is carrying good momentum into the 2020s.

We wish Ben and Nick all the best in their new roles.

The Board of the Fermentum family of Businesses