Coopers Brewery announces new boss as veteran Tim Cooper retires

Tim Cooper will step back from the top job at Coopers Brewery after more than two decades, as beer sales at the nation’s last major Australian-owned brewer continue to grow.

Incoming Coopers Brewery boss Michael Shearer (left) with outgoing, long-serving managing director Tim Cooper. Picture: Russell Millard

More than 30 years after hanging up his stethoscope to join the family brewing concern, Tim Cooper will step down as managing director of Coopers Brewery.

Never fear, though – he’ll still be head brewer, ensuring Coopers’ fine ales continue to be produced at the high standard which has made the 162-year-old brewery an Australian national treasure.

Dr Cooper trained as a medical doctor specialising in cardiology before returning to the family business in 1990, and has been managing director for the past 23 years.

During that time he fended off a takeover bid from Lion Nathan back in the noughties, and has led the business to invest more than $400m at its Regency Park headquarters, and maintained Coopers as a force in Australian brewing in a market which has been shrinking for many years.

Tim Cooper at the new visitor centre at the Regency Park brewery. Picture: Supplied

Coopers recently opened its new $70m visitor centre, which also includes a whisky distillery and microbrewery, and Dr Cooper leaves the business in good shape, with beer sales up 3.7 per cent year to date, in a national beer market which continues to contract.

Michael Shearer, who is currently general manager at Coopers, will take over as managing director on March 1.

Dr Cooper said running the brewery had been a privilege.

“We have an impressive team at Coopers, and together we have achieved more than what any of us could have imagined,” Dr Cooper said.

“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.

“However, no one could have predicted our growth after relocating the brewery. We embraced leading edge technology, a positive culture and a passion for beer quality.

Bill Cooper, Maxwell Cooper and Tim Cooper at the former brewery site at Leabrook in about 1990.

“We took a strategic direction in 2002 to establish an interstate sales business, which grew our beer distribution strongly. Our national market share increased from 1.5 per cent to 5 per cent within 15 years.”

This growth attracted the interest of Lion Nathan, however the company’s shareholders, most of them family members, refused the pressure to sell, and in doing so, have maintained the legacy of what is now the nation’s only large Australian-owned brewery, with all other major brands now foreign-owned.

Coopers re-entered the malt market with an investment in maltings at Regency Park in 2017, and also brews for other brands at the site.

“More recently I have been delighted to work with my daughter Louise and colleagues on the development of our world-class visitor centre,’’ Dr Cooper said.

“With the support of my fellow directors and shareholders, we have reinvested profit and taken on debt to pursue our expansion and diversification strategies. Coopers remains in a strong position.’’

Dr Cooper said Mr Shearer was an exceptional leader who had been instrumental to Coopers’ growth.

“I step down knowing that the company is on a steady path and will be in safe hands under Michael’s stewardship,’’ Dr Cooper said.

“Brewing is in my blood, and I will continue to work at Coopers alongside my son Iain and the brewing team.”

Mr Shearer has worked at Coopers for more than 20 years. He said it was an honour to take on the top job.

“Tim is one of the true legends of Australian brewing,’’ Mr Shearer said.

“His fearless and inspiring leadership has seen Coopers grow to become the country’s largest independent brewery, while remaining authentic and true to its heritage.

“Under Tim’s leadership, Coopers has cemented its reputation for brewing great tasting, value-for-money Australian beer.

“In addition to maintaining our strength in DIY brewing products, we have also become a leading supplier of malt and recently diversified into whisky production.’’

The company will continue to be family owned and run, with the board, chaired by fifth generation family member Mel Cooper, having a majority of directors who are members of the Cooper family.

Dr Tim Cooper will remain a director and chief brewer, where he will continue to provide his input on brewing and technical matters.

Originally published as Coopers Brewery announces new boss as veteran Tim Cooper retires