AUSTRALIA – Mighty Craft, one of Australia’s leading and fastest growing premium craft drinks companies, has announced the appointment of Katie McNamara as its new managing director, effective immediately. 

Drinks accelerator Mighty Craft has invested in select craft beverages to accelerate the growth of brands such as Better Beer, Kangaroo Island Distillers and Seven Seasons Distillers. 

McNamara has been a Non-Executive Director of Mighty Craft since 17th April 2023 and has been integral in the Board-led Strategic review, development and execution. 

As a senior executive and management consultant, McNamara brings experience across a broad range of functional areas, with a focus on consumer, FMCG and retail. 

She has over 25 years’ operational experience in senior executive and consultancy roles across Australia, Europe, United States and Asia. 

She also has extensive experience in beverage alcohol, having been on the senior executive at Foster’s Group as Director of Strategy and M&A prior to, leading up and post the Demerger of Treasury Wine Estates. 

Chair Chris Malcom said: “Having now worked with Katie McNamara for some time, I am confident in Katie’s commercial acumen, experienced skills and leadership ability will benefit the company, staff, shareholders and partners. I am looking forward to working closely with Katie on the next phase of Mighty Craft’s business growth.” 

The appointment comes after the Australian spirits and beer brand owner shook up its board of directors to embark on a strategic review of its business. 

Malcolm’s intent was to undertake a strategic review of the company and look to reduce its debt and review structure and overheads following the business’s increase in debt facility with Pure Asset Management of $20 million. 

In a recent news release, the board of directors have voted against the re-election of Board Chair Chris Malcolm at the company’s Annual General meeting. 

Malcolm, who in August launched an extraordinary tirade against the company’s previous Board and the strategy the company was founded on, was only able to secure the votes of 47 percent of shareholders for re-election. 

Fellow board members Sean Ebert and Katie McNamara are however reported to have been re-elected 76 percent and 72 percent respectively.