Annual General Meeting Minutes
Thursday 3rd March 2011, 11.30am
The Holiday Inn, Bridgefoot, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6YR
1. WELCOME by Keith Bott (Titanic), SIBA Chairman.
2. FORMAL BUSINESS
Adoption of Standing Orders
 Julian Grocock (Chief Executive) advised the meeting of the advance notification of Standing Orders
formally adopted for the meeting. There were no objections.
Appointment of Tellers
 JG announced the appointment of SIBA employees as Tellers: Charlie Gorham, Sara Knox, Rachel
Harriott and Lisa Hoffin.
3. CHAIR RATIFICATION
 JG reported the decision by KB, after serving for one year, to offer to continue to serve as Chairman.
 No other name was put forward at the Council Meeting held in Burton 02/02/11. KB's candidacy was
unanimously supported by the Trustees.
 KB was formally proposed for ratification as Chairman. There were no objections.
4. APOLOGIES
 Sara Knox reported apologies received from the following breweries: Itchen Valley, Hogs Back, Wood,
Inveralmond, Corvedale, Mauldons.
5. MINUTES OF THE AGM held at the Holiday Inn, Stratford, 4th March 2010:
 There were no matters arising and the minutes were approved unanimously; proposed: Douglas Ross
(Traditional Scottish Ales); seconded: Don Burgess (Freeminer).
6. NOTIFICATION OF TRUSTEES
 Resignations had been received and accepted from: Paul Marshall (Elgood) [East]; Mike Desquesnes
(B&T) [East]; Paul Halsey (Purity) [Midlands]; Paul Davey (RCH) [South-West]; Dave Pickersgill
(Oakleaf) [South-East].
 KB thanked all retiring Trustees and noted in particular the length of service by Paul Davey and Mike
Desquesnes.
 KB reported that the removal by regional voting of Don Burgess (Freeminer) [Wales & West] had been
received and accepted by the Trustees. KB thanked DB for his service, and advised that he will continue
to serve as Brewing Technical Director.
 New Trustees elected were: Stephen Heptinstall (Cotleigh) [SW]; Norman Pearce (Corvedale) [W&W];
Steve Chroscicki (Front Street) [E]; Nigel Sadler (Brentwood) [E]; Duncan Sambrook (Sambrook's) [SE];
Helen Teasdale (Springhead) [M]. KB formally welcomed these on to Council.
 The following had retired by rotation and been proposed for re-election: Tuggy Delap (Fyne Ales)
[Scotland]; Andrew Whalley (York) [North].
 JG read out and introduced all Trustees to the meeting:
South-West: Carl Beeson (Summerskills); Guy Sheppard (Exe Valley); Stephen Heptinstall;
South-East: Eddie Gadd (Ramsgate); Robert Wicks (Westerham); Duncan Sambrook;
Wales & West: Jim Kenyon (Hereford); Buster Grant (Breconshire); Norman Pearce (apologies);
Midlands: Alex Buchanan (Thornbridge); Keith Bott; Helen Teasdale;
East: Brendan Moore (Iceni); Steve Chroscicki; Nigel Sadler;
North: Andrew Whalley; Alex Brodie (Hawkshead); Tom Mellor (Wold Top);
Scotland: Tuggy Delap; Douglas Ross (Traditional Scottish Ales); Fergus Clark (Inveralmond – apology
received).
7. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
 KB reported an exceptional year in SIBA's development, with an amazing level of professionalism and
service demonstrated by employees.
 KB hoped to develop this further, and hoped that the new less formal format of Members' Day would
allow members to get involved in the reporting and feedback processes that shape strategy.
 Communication remains key, but KB continues to encounter ignorance of SIBA's activities. Central
development of the SMI (SIBA Members' Interface) makes available all the information that a member
could need, with multiple log-in access for brewery employees.
 KB urged all members to use the SMI, and thanked Nick Stafford and JG and their teams for their input
into development of the system.
 It was noted that the SMI will be the home of the new Members' Pack – a long-standing project, the
hard-copy version of which has now been completed. Electronic pages that can easily be updated will
he held on the SMI. KB congratulated JG for this achievement.
 KB advised that full reports on SIBA's areas of operational activities were due to follow the AGM, but
noted major points, activities and achievements as follows: introduction of new logo; inaugural keg
competition; first Great Northern Beer Festival; first Wales & West festival in Ludlow; sponsorship of
CAMRA Winter Ales Festival; GBBF Bar and sponsorship of tutored tasting sessions; first Associate
Members' Forum; merging of Pub Retail Conference with Business Awards presentation; piloting of pub
associate scheme; support for Cask Ale Week and the Cask Report; shortlisting for an award from the
Trade Association Forum; and the Industry Report.
 KB thanked JG for writing the last three Industry Reports, and thanked all brewers who were able to
complete the Industry Survey that provides the backbone of data for the report.
 KB noted the untimely death of Steve Griffin, formerly SIBA's industry analyst and author of earlier
Industry Reports.
8. FINANCIAL REPORT
Please refer to the 2010 Year End Accounts
 NS reported a full year with the revised accounting system in place, covering SIBA National, SIBA DDS
and SIBA TS.
 NS explained income as follows: National is almost entirely from membership subscriptions; DDS is
beer sales; TS is a recharge to DDS.
 NS advised on purchases, overheads and commercial profit margin, and noted an overall after-tax profit
of £90k approx.
 Reserves have changed significantly, due to advice received from a new non-executive commercial
board member, to redress tax liability and reclaim £50k approx (subject to HMRC approval). This has
involved moving some reserves from DDS accounts into National accounts.
 The priority is to move into 2011 with as healthy a profit forecast as possible, to fund national activities.
 SIBA Marketing is separated as a fourth "quasi" company within SIBA operations, without an income of
its own.
 NS noted a budgeted controlled loss in SIBA National of £20k for the development of the pub associate
membership scheme.
 DDS's anticipated better profit forecast is due to the hopeful non-existence of a "Threshers scenario" in
the coming year.
 As TS grows its marginal profit will increase.
9. MOTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Motion 1 proposed by Brendan Moore (Iceni); seconded by Steve Chroscicki (Front Street)
This meeting agrees that SIBA should ask its brewing members to show their Brewers’ Registration
Number on all invoices and delivery documentation.
 BM explained that the motion was prompted by the rise of "cuckoo" brewers, set up in name only with
brands brewed (and excise paid) elsewhere.
 This was a way to ensure that a "brewer" is genuine.
 JG explained as a point of information that a SIBA full brewing member must have their own registration
number, and that beers can only be entered in SIBA competitions under the name of the brewery where
it is produced. It may not be within SIBA's power to insist on this being adhered to.
 It was asked whether brewers already have enough to put on their documentation.
 Colin Wilde (Castle Rock) wondered if the widespread use of registration numbers could lead to their
fraudulent abuse. Also the authenticity of a number could not easily be verified.
 David Grant (Moorhouse's) believed due diligence was all that was required, rather than mandatory
regulations.
 Gregg Sawyer (Tatton) noted that if brewers have no access to verification of numbers then it is
pointless to have them displayed.
 Robert Wicks (Westerham) made it clear that the opportunity for fraud made it out of the question that
his number would be displayed.
 Buster Grant (Breconshire) pointed out that cuckoo brewers can be legitimate operations, brewing on
borrowed plant.
 Guy Sheppard (Exe Valley) advised that dealing exclusively with SIBA members is an easy answer.
 KB summed up the difficulties of implementing the motion as drawn up, and proposed a remission to
Council to investigate the problems caused by non-genuine "brewing" companies and consider a
workable strategy.
 SC agreed and chose not to sum up.
 The MOTION was heavily defeated.
Motion 2 proposed by Brendan Moore (Iceni); seconded by Paul Marshall (Elgood)
This meeting instructs SIBA to provide a template to guide and educate its members on all
elements of costing beer production, including the full rate of excise duty.
 KB advised that this had been agreed at the last SIBA Council meeting.
 The MOTION was withdrawn.
Motion 3 proposed by Peter Amor (Wye Valley); seconded by Alex Brodie (Hawkshead)
This meeting agrees that SIBA should change its name to “The Brewers’ Society”.
 PA noted that early microbrewers were below the lower volume threshold for joining the then Brewers'
Society, and thus SIBA – the Small Independent Brewers' Association – was set up.
 In 1995 SIBA's own top threshold for membership was removed and its name was changed – no longer
fitting the acronym.
 The Brewers' Society became the BBPA, embracing brewers and huge pubcos – no longer a "brewers'
society".
 SIBA is now the only body representing brewers, and is a true "brewers' society".
 Nick Stafford (Hambleton) argued that changing the name would be pure vanity. What matters is what
the trade association does, not the adoption of a name that once belonged to somebody else.
 NS pointed out that the logo has just been changed and SIBA's branding and profile are now
exceptional.
 Tuggy Delap (Fyne Ales) emphasised her pride in belonging to SIBA, and argued that the "A" could
stand for "Associates".
 Courtney Epps (Hogs Back) saw no reason to change a successful brand name.
 Guy Sheppard remembered the importance of the name SIBA when the full title was changed.
 Patrick McCaig (Otter) supported the motion, on the grounds that the title would be unambiguous and
add credence to both the organisation and the industry it represents.
 Ed Mayman (Freedom) stressed his pride in participating in the recent SIBA film, in which SIBA's name
was prominent.
 AB summed up that the proposal does not seek to change anything that the organisation holds dear. It
is a cosmetic change to help with the furtherance of our cause. SIBA is not a well-known name outside
the industry.
 The MOTION was defeated (FOR 17; AGAINST 40).
Motion 4 proposed by Jim Kenyon (Hereford); seconded by Norman Pearce (Corvedale)
This meeting agrees that no SIBA member should be allowed to serve as a regional trustee for more
than three years without standing for re-election.
 KB noted that this situation can arise when an out-of-rotation retirement allows a Trustee to continue in
post for more than three years without having to seek re-election. It has been discussed at Council, and
there is approval for the implementation of the motion's requirement.
 The practical means to effect its implementation have to be decided, and KB asked the meeting to allow
Council to take it away for agreement and implementation of a procedural structure.
 JK agreed to this
 The MOTION was withdrawn.
10. CLOSING REMARKS
 KB thanked attendees and looked forward to the afternoon's Members' Day open forum session.