Chris McNamara

The Independent Brewers Association (IBA) would like to announce the departure of Chris McNamara, our Head of Member Services and Operations.

Chris has most recently been serving in the role of Acting CEO and prior to that was our long time Executive Officer.

Chris became the first employee of the then Craft Beer Industry Association in March 2012. During his tenure leading our organisation he was responsible for the creation of the Australian Craft Brewers Conference (now BrewCon) and the Craft Beer Awards (now The Indies).

He also drove our advocacy efforts for taxation reform which culminated in the recent Budget announcement, led last year’s transformation process of CBIA to IBA and helped to lift the association’s profile with all key stakeholders.

IBA Chair Ben Kooyman said, “Chris will always be part of the Industry fabric as the first staff member of the IBA. On behalf of our many members and stakeholders we thank Chris for his years of loyal contribution”.

“I’m very proud of what we have been able to achieve at the IBA over the last six years, especially given our humble beginnings,” said Chris McNamara.

“In particular, our successful campaign for excise reform brought me great personal satisfaction.

“I’d like to thank everybody in the industry who has supported our efforts over the last six years especially all of the Board members who have been so generous with their time. I’d also like to thank my colleagues who do such an amazing jobs running the IBA’s events and managing its other initiatives.”