Hop Products Australia (HPA) has announced that Owen Johnston, the company’s current Head of Sales and Marketing, will succeed Tim Lord as CEO when Lord retires in April 2025. Johnston’s appointment marks a significant leadership transition at the globally recognized supplier of high-quality hops.
Johnston, who holds a Bachelor of Science and an MBA from the University of Tasmania, as well as a Master of Science from the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, brings a wealth of expertise to his new role. His deep knowledge of the brewing industry is complemented by his decade-long tenure as Head Brewer at Moo Brew, one of Tasmania’s largest craft breweries.
Having worked at HPA for the past 11 years, Johnston has played a pivotal role in building the company into a brand valued by brewers worldwide. He expressed his enthusiasm about his new role, stating, “I’m honoured and delighted to be appointed HPA’s new CEO. I look forward to leading HPA’s next chapter, ensuring we continue to create impactful flavours that delight beer lovers.”
Johnston also highlighted the strength of the team he will be leading, saying, “We’ve built a great team at HPA, and I’m very proud of what we have achieved, particularly in the last 10 years. I am confident that we will continue to face challenges together and collaborate strongly with our partners for continued success.”
Stephan Barth, a shareholder at HPA, praised Johnston’s extensive experience in the beer and hop industry, noting his deep understanding of both the business and the wider industry. “Owen is well-placed to represent the BarthHaas group as HPA’s new CEO. His 20+ years in the industry and his intimate knowledge of HPA make him the ideal candidate to lead the company into its next phase of growth,” Barth said.
The company also took the opportunity to acknowledge the significant contribution of Tim Lord, who has led HPA for 20 years. “On behalf of the shareholders, I would like to extend our deep gratitude to Tim Lord for his leadership and integrity,” Barth added. “Tim played a key role in positioning HPA as a globally recognized supplier of flavour hops, and his vision has laid the foundation for the company’s continued success in both Australia and international markets.”
HPA confirmed that Johnston will work closely with Lord over the coming months to ensure a smooth leadership transition. The company’s focus will remain on delivering excellence to its customers while positioning itself for continued success in the global hop industry and beyond.
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