New CEO announced for Australian Brewers Association

The Brewers Association of Australia and New Zealand has announced the appointment of Brett Heffernan as its new CEO.

Heffernan replaces Tim Reardon, who had been in the role of Executive Director since March, 2016, following a background in government relations in member-based organisations. 

At the time of his appointment, Reardon told Australian Brews News his priorities will be “strengthening the reputation of the beer industry, improving the image of beer and advocating for targeted interventions to resolve alcohol misuse rather than increasing regulation of the beer industry”.

Heffernan's background includes working as Senior Media Adviser to former Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss for five years, General Manager of Public Affairs for the National Farmers' Federation and Public Affairs Manager for the Australian Private Hospitals Association.

More recently, he established a small consultancy in Canberra specialising in Public Affairs, Government and Stakeholder Relations, Issues and Crisis Management and Recovery, and Media.

Heffernan has won 13 state and national Awards for Excellence under the Public Relations Institute of Australia's annual Golden Target Awards, orchestrating highly successful national campaigns. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Social Sciences) degree from Deakin University with a double major in Journalism and Political Science, as well as sub-majors in International Relations, Economic and Social Studies, Policy Studies and History.

He will be responsible for representing Australia and New Zealand's biggest brewers - Lion, Coopers, CUB and DB - in legislative and regulatory issues as well as leading the association into its next chapter.