Board of Directors - Hopsters Co-operative Brewery Limited

Meet our Board of Directors

Hopsters Co-operative Brewery’s Board of Directors consists of seven members from a diverse and complementary range of backgrounds, making them the dream team to propel Hopsters toward new phases of growth and ever-increasing milestones.

Read on to learn more about our all-star Board of Directors, what they bring to the table, and how they plan to help shape the direction of Hopsters.

KIERAN BOWLES (Company Secretary)

Member No: 560
Joined: 3 November 2019
Kieran works as an Intelligent Transport Systems engineer, working for an infrastructure operator/maintainer on major systems projects and asset maintenance. Well versed in scoping and initiating projects, establishing budgets, managing contractors and projects delivery and commissioning, as well as engaging with stakeholders and leading a team. He has a degree in Mechatronics Engineering, holds an RSA license and is a regular front of house staff member in the Hopsters taproom. He is passionate about craft beer and makes his own at home.

SARAH HALL

Member No: 293
Joined: 5 November 2018
Originally from the UK, Sarah arrived in Australia in 2004 and is now the owner/director of a successful, Sydney-based boutique recruitment consultancy. Prior to joining the Hopsters board, she volunteered on our Marketing Committee and is also involved in another Inner West volunteer-based organisation. A craft beer lover who has experience in Marketing/BD/Sales & client relationship management, Sarah’s favourite Hopsters beer is the Sequoia Cascadian IPA from the Hopsters/Frenchies Cool Kids range.

Johanna Somerville (Chairperson)

Member No: 607
Joined: 30 April 2020
Strategic and dynamic, Johanna is an experienced manager who works at the intersection of creative and commercial as a Producer and Network Executive. Experienced in strategic leadership, market analysis, pipeline development, negotiation, schedule and budget oversight, customer service, and management of creative and technical teams. Johanna is passionate about quality food, wine and beer with a background in food policy, experience in the wine industry and food retail and an ongoing interest in contributing to culinary culture. At Hopsters Johanna is a board member, she sits on the brewing and member engagement committees, leads the technology committee and works behind the bar.

ANDREW BURNARD

Member No: 456 Joined: 8 April 2019 Andrew is an engineer working in the sustainable energy sector, helping organisations to save energy and generate their own. He has experience across technical design, project management, communications, and policy. He also has years of experience as a director of not-for-profit organisations. Andrew has a strong interest in the “nuts and bolts” side of brewing and leads the maintenance and construction committee for the board. Andrew rides bikes everywhere, sings in a choir, and regularly rewards himself with a great craft beer.

Gordon Babe

Member No: 625
Joined: 28 Jul 2020 Gordon is an experienced board member and corporate/commercial lawyer with a passion for craft beer, and a belief that our co-operative setup makes us special. He's served on the boards of community organisations as well as private businesses, and for over a decade in his day job he has been trusted to advise and represent everyone from working people to multi-million dollar organisations. Within Hopsters he's previously volunteered on the marketing committee, among a number of other active contributions.