Coopers Brewery appoints first female Chair

Fifth-generation family member Melanie Cooper has been appointed as the Chair of Australia’s largest independent family-owned brewery, Coopers.

Mel becomes the first female Chair of Coopers Brewery in its 161-year history and takes over from Glenn Cooper, who is stepping down in December after nearly 22 years in the position.

At the same time, Andrew Cooper will be appointed to the Board – the first sixth-generation family member to become a Director of the company.

Melanie Cooper appointed new Chair

Mel Cooper is currently Director of Finance and Corporate Affairs at Coopers Brewery, as well as Chair of its charitable arm, the Coopers Brewery Foundation. She has been a Director on the Coopers Board since 2009.

“I’m honoured to become Chair of Coopers Brewery,” Mel said.

“I’m very proud to have seen how the Brewery has grown and evolved since I first joined the company in 1985. As Australia’s largest independent family-owned brewery, we have a unique position in the beer industry and a strong reputation to uphold. With major developments and initiatives underway at the Brewery, and a vision for future growth, we’re in the midst of a truly exciting time for Coopers.

“Our industry faces opportunities and challenges. I hold a positive outlook and look forward to working closely with my fellow Directors and senior leadership team along this journey.”

Mel was not only the first member of the fifth-generation, but also the first female of the Cooper family to be employed on a permanent basis at the Brewery (in 1985), becoming the first female Director in 2009.

She is Chair of the Coopers Brewery Foundation and has held Board positions with J & AG Johnston, Burnside Hospital Foundation, Neurosurgical Research Foundation and Drinks Association’s national committees on gender reform.

Mel is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Patron of St John’s Youth Services and received the Member of the Order of Australia Medal for service to the community through philanthropic support for and with charitable foundations and to business.

Glenn Cooper steps down

Glenn Cooper, a fifth-generation family member who started with the brewery more than 34 years ago, has announced his decision to step down as Chair.

“I feel it is time for generational change and commencement of the transition to the sixth- generation,” Glenn said. “Fortunately, we have enthusiastic sixth-generation family members who are supportive of the Brewery as it moves into a new era. However, when you’re a Cooper, you never really retire from being an advocate of this great Australian company.”

Glenn was a non-executive Director of Coopers Board for two years before joining the Brewery as an employee in 1990, later appointed Marketing Director. He retired as an executive in 2014 and has remained Chair since 2002.

Glenn has been Chairman of the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Adelaide Convention and Tourism Authority, Australian Made Campaign, and an Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation Board member. He is a Board member of Bundaberg Brewed Drinks Company and Haymes Paints Australia, and Advisory Board member for Maras Group and OBE Organic Beef. He received a Member of the General Division of the Order of Australia for service to the food and beverage industry and community.

Andrew Cooper joins Board

Andrew Cooper, a sixth-generation family member with over 17 years of business experience in domestic and international markets, will become a Director of Coopers.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Board to continue the stewardship of our family company into the sixth generation,” Andrew said.

Andrew joined Coopers in 2017 as National Business Manager for major retail customer Endeavour Group, based in Melbourne. In his current role he is responsible for the Brewery’s key national on-premise accounts as well as growing Coopers export markets.

Prior to joining Coopers, Andrew worked with global drinks companies Diageo in Singapore and Pernod Ricard in Sydney as well as with investment bank Macquarie Group in Adelaide.

He represents Coopers Brewery on the Drinks Association’s Board, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and holds an MBA and Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Adelaide.

Coopers Managing Director, Dr Tim Cooper said the new appointments ensured Coopers maintained a strong, skilled and experienced Board of Directors.

“In Mel, Coopers has an insightful and highly respected Chair with a strong commitment to corporate governance. She has a passion for nurturing both the legacy and the culture of our family business, and we congratulate Mel on her appointment,” he said.

“We thank Glenn for his enthusiastic commitment and his dedicated contribution over more than three decades. He has always been and remains a passionate supporter of the Brewery. We welcome Andrew as a Director. Andrew has proven himself to be an astute and highly capable professional and will be a valuable addition to the Board.”

The new look Coopers Board of Directors will comprise Mel Cooper, Dr Tim Cooper, Dr James Cooper, Andrew Cooper, Cam Pearce and Rob Chapman.

Louise Cooper will take on Mel’s former (non-Director) role of Company Secretary.