SIBA chairman Buster Grant has relinquished his role at the association.

Grant, who is head brewer at Brecon Brewing in Wales, said he took the decision to dedicate more time to his business activities.

Ian Fozard, the association’s vice chairman is tasked with providing leadership for the organisation until a new chairman is elected by the Board.

Mike Benner, chief executive said, “I would like to thank Buster for his hard work, dedication and leadership since his election to the Chair in March 2017 and wish him the very best of luck for the future.”

The move comes just a month after the SIBA AGM held at BeerX in Liverpool resulted in members of the body voted against proposed changes to its membership charter.

The motion that which was voted down by three votes (66 to 63) had suggested raising the body’s membership threshold from its current 200,000hl to 437,340hl.

As a result, breweries such as St Austell and Fuller’s were left unable to join the body.

Speaking at his appointment last year, Grant said: “The reputed curse of ‘May you live in interesting times’ has never seemed truer, with a number of threats and opportunities facing our industry.

“However, I see mostly opportunities, and I’m delighted to be working with SIBA’s Managing Director Mike Benner and the team towards a goal of a more professional industry, with a real focus on quality products, sustainable business and fair access to market for all of our members, whatever their size.”

Photo credit: SIBA