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Chairman's Comment Roy Allkin, SIBA’s National Chair, on the importance of regional representation
Regional representation
September was a very important month in the history of our industry as we marked 20 years of Small Breweries’ Relief, a piece of Government policy which has had an unprecedented effect on the independent brewing industry in the UK.
To mark the occasion, myself and other representatives from SIBA including former Chairman Keith Bott, South East Chair Andrew Heywood, and SBR campaigner Eddie Gadd, were involved in a very special brew day at Five Points brewery in Hackney. Five Points has been a huge supporter of SIBA in recent years and has done much to fight for positive reform of SBR. The beer itself is a British style IPA featuring all-British grown malt and carefully selected hops, the names of which form the letters SBR: Sovereign, Bullion and Relentless - the latter of which is a brand-new experimental British hop. The brew day went well and I am very much looking forward to trying the beer when it is launched as part of an ‘SBR at 20’ event in October, which will also see the publication of a report analysing the impact of Small Breweries’ Relief over the last two decades. But what now? After 20 years unchanged, and following a long and detailed review, Small Breweries’ Relief was set for reform and adaptation, to become part of the new ‘Small Producers’ Relief’ – which would include other independently produced British drinks such as cider. Recent changes in Government have put the implementation of these proposed changes on hold, which is causing further uncertainty for our sector at a time when so many things feel very much up in the air. From energy to raw ingredients, costs are rising for small independent breweries making it even more pressing that Prime Minister Liz Truss and her Government press on with the proposed changes and give breweries certainty over what their tax bill will look like in the year ahead.
As always, SIBA has been fighting your corner on this and many other issues, calling on Government to end the uncertainty over Small Producers’ Relief, and pushing for energy price caps for businesses. However, in order to properly represent the membership to Government it is vital that you have the opportunity to raise concerns, feedback on your business operations, and discuss with fellow brewers the issues most important to you right now – and the best way to do this is in the open forum of regional meetings. Speaking to Regional Directors I know that some meetings have been quieter than usual, which is perhaps as much a sign that we are all busy (I hope so!) as anything, but taking an hour or so out of your schedule could be hugely valuable. As well as being an opportunity to hear regional updates and speak to fellow brewers your regional meeting is a chance to hear from and ask questions of the SIBA HQ Senior Management team on a variety of issues – from lobbying and legislation, to promotional opportunities, press and marketing. So please do check www.siba.co.uk/calendar and make sure that the next regional meeting and beer competition are in your diary - myself or a member of the team will see you there.
SIBA has been fighting your corner on this and many other issues, calling on Government to end the uncertainty over Small Producers’ Relief, and pushing for energy price caps for businesses.
Roy Allkin
Chairman
SIBA
James Calder has stepped down as Chief Executive of SIBA
After three years as Chief Executive of SIBA, and five years with the trade association in total, SIBA’s board confirmed in July that James was stepping down on 1st August to take on a new challenge.
As this magazine went to press, the search was already well underway for a successor for the CEO role, with an announcement to SIBA Members expected in due course. Under James’ tenure, SIBA has supported every independent brewery in the UK through Covid, providing them with the latest information, support and guidance. In Scotland, SIBA secured the Scottish Brewery Support Fund and in England, Wales and NI, lobbied successfully to ensure breweries were prioritised for financial support. James has also overseen negotiations with Government over the future of Small Breweries’ Relief, securing changes which protect more breweries whilst ensuring the system allows the potential for growth and positive reform. SIBA has also provided more benefits to members, revamped its beer competitions and saw a hugely successful return to Liverpool for BeerX 2022 under James’ leadership. James said: “It has been an immense privilege to lead SIBA through the most difficult period in its history. I am especially proud and grateful to the team I have led. I am sad to be leaving SIBA, but I am also proud of what we have achieved. I wish SIBA, its members, and all independent breweries across the UK well.” National Chair of SIBA, Roy Allkin, said: “Through unprecedentedly challenging times for the brewing and hospitality industries over the last few years, James was always keen to ensure that SIBA’s members were fully represented and that the sector wasn’t left adrift. James will be an asset wherever his career takes him.” Chair of the executive committee Francis Patton said: “I have enjoyed working with James over the last three years and under his leadership SIBA has become closer to its members and helped many brewers through challenging times during the pandemic. I wish him well in his future career.” SIBA’s senior management team are managing the organisation on a day-to-day basis with support from SIBA’s executive until an appointment is made.
SIBA begins member expansion with launch of new International Brewing Membership and Awards
SIBA is expanding its membership remit with three new member categories launching in 2022, starting with International Brewing Membership which opened in August.
SIBA International Brewing Membership is open to independent breweries anywhere outside of the UK and includes a range of membership benefits, including access to the newly launched SIBA International Beer Awards. “SIBA will offer our new International Brewing Members a variety of brewery business tools, UK promotional opportunities for their beer and brands, professional advice on essential business areas such as marketing or UK legislation, and free delegate tickets to BeerX – the UK’s biggest beer and brewing trade event - where our new International Awards will take place,” said Neil Walker, SIBA Head of Comms & Marketing. Only SIBA International Brewing Members will be eligible to enter beer into the newly launched SIBA International Beer Awards, with a broad variety of internationally recognised style categories judged by some of the UK’s most experienced beer judges, Beer Sommeliers, and Master Brewers. The awards include Belgian, French and Trappist styles, amongst others, alongside Pale Ale, IPA, Speciality & Sour beers, as well as more traditional British styles such as Bitter and Stout. The judging and awards presentation will take place as part of BeerX UK in March 2023. “Our new SIBA Independent Beer Awards are a truly unique competition and a first for the UK. We’re really excited about bringing in craft breweries from across the Globe and can’t wait to see who comes out on top. All of the judging and the awards presentation will take place at BeerX – the UK’s biggest beer and brewing trade event – so winners will get to accept their awards on the UK’s most prominent beer industry stage,” Neil added. Later this year SIBA will also be bringing amateur brewers into the fold through a homebrewing membership category, offering advice on turning professional, as well as the opportunity for technical Q&As with well-known craft brewers, a quarterly printed magazine, brewing tools and guidance, plus a new homebrew competition – again set to take place at the flagship BeerX event. The final new member category, launching by the end of 2022, is to open SIBA membership to bottleshops – offering advice, guidance and Government lobbying support, as well as access to an exclusive retailer showcase at BeerX and more.
