MD of Australian-owned brewery Coopers, Tim Cooper, has resigned from his role after 23 years at the helm.
The current GM Michael Shearer will take on the position, with the transition effective from March 1.
“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,” said Tim Cooper.
“My aspiration when I joined the brewery in 1990 was to carry on the family legacy. Prior to taking over as MD from my father Bill, I had the rewarding responsibility for the design and development of the new brewery at Regency Park.”
The company will remain family-owned and controlled, with the board chaired by fifth-generation family member Mel Cooper and a majority of directors from the Cooper family. Tim Cooper will continue to serve as a director and chief brewer.
Soon-to-be MD Michael Shearer has worked with Coopers for 20 years, six of those as GM, overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations.
“I look forward to working with my fellow board members, including sixth-generation Andrew Cooper and 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,” Shearer said.
The leadership change comes after Coopers has recently opened its $70 million brewery at Regency Park. In November, Coopers posted sales growth for FY24 despite tough market conditions, with the launch of its Australian Lager being the main contributor to the improvement.
