Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers names Matt Anderson its next chief executive

The Chartered Institute of Brewers and Distillers said Thursday that Matt Anderson will become its next chief executive on Dec. 1, 2026, as the professional body moves ahead with new training programs, 2027 qualification registrations and a wider schedule of industry events.

CIBD said Anderson brings experience in brewing, packaging and leadership. The institute also pointed to his existing ties to the organization, saying he is a CIBD Diploma graduate and has served on the CIBD Southern Section Committee since 2019. In its announcement, the group said Anderson will take over at a time when it is expanding qualifications, increasing its international event activity and adding support for brewers and distillers in different markets.

The appointment was the lead item in the institute’s latest member update, which outlined a broader push around professional education. CIBD said registration is now open for its 2027 Diploma and Master exams, covering brewing, distilling and packaging. According to the institute, the Diploma is designed to build technical knowledge alongside practical experience, while the revised Master Brewer and Master Distiller qualifications place more emphasis on applying technical knowledge and leadership skills in professional settings.

The group said it will also hold a LinkedIn Live session on Nov. 12 with Abhishek Banik, chair of its Board of Examinations, for prospective candidates with questions about the qualifications. CIBD said people earlier in their studies can also pursue its Foundation and General Certificate programs.

Alongside the leadership announcement, the institute launched a new short course on ready-to-drink beverage production. CIBD said the course covers ingredients, production methods and quality issues tied to products such as radlers, hard seltzers and premixed cocktails. It said the course is aimed at brewers, distillers, winemakers and cidermakers who want to build knowledge in the segment or broaden their product range.

The institute also said it has extended access for that short course to 180 days from enrollment, compared with the previous 90-day access period it had offered for individual short courses. The change, it said, is meant to give learners more flexibility to complete the material at their own pace.

CIBD used the update to promote its latest digital publishing and resource offerings. It said the September issue of Brewer and Distiller International, or BDI, is now available online with a redesigned look. The institute said that edition includes coverage of Ardgowan whisky, trends in functional beverages, the World Distilled Spirits Conference in Edinburgh and a traditional Austrian brewery tour organized by its Southern Section.

The organization also said its online Resource Hub continues to expand, with technical materials for members available on demand. According to CIBD, the collection includes webinars, conference recordings, articles and other resources related to brewing, distilling and the broader drinks industry, including online access to Brewer and Distiller International and the Journal of the Institute of Brewing.

The institute said it will appear at BrauBeviale 2026, a beverage industry trade fair scheduled for Nov. 10 through Nov. 12 in Nuremberg, Germany. CIBD said its staff will be at Hall 12, Stand 430 throughout the exhibition to discuss courses, qualifications and membership. The group said it is offering complimentary entry through a voucher code, while tickets remain available.

Looking ahead to 2027, CIBD said early bird registration is open for the 39th CIBD Asia Pacific Convention, set for March 15 through March 18 in Brisbane, Australia. The institute said the event will bring together brewing, distilling and drinks industry professionals for technical sessions, industry discussions and networking. It said the early bird deadline is Nov. 29, 2026, and that people who join CIBD before registering can save $250 on the convention rate.

The newsletter also highlighted continuing professional development activity among members. CIBD said professional development can include formal study, events, volunteering, workplace learning and self-directed reading. As examples, it cited members who completed the General Certificate in Brewing, attended a yeast production seminar run by the Irish Section and used an article in a recent BDI issue to support work on brewhouse cleaning and maintenance programs.

The group listed several upcoming section events in late October and November, including the Professor Charlie Bamforth tour, an Irish Section brewery tour and talk, a Southern Section carbon literacy workshop, an Asia Pacific regional event in Queensland, an Irish early career brew day, a Southern Section brewery visit and sensory masterclass, a Southern Section young members brew day, a Scottish Section lifelong learning day and a Great Northern Section event in Tadcaster focused on an £18 million brewery redevelopment. It also promoted annual dinners in Leeds and Bath later this year, a Midlands Section dinner planned for February 2027 and an Irish Section annual dinner scheduled for the same month.