Chair
Mat Henney
Having sat on the CIBD Southern Section Committee for four years, Mat Henney is the current Southern Section Chairman. He is a CIBD qualified Diploma and Master Brewer with over fifteen years’ experience across Small & Regional Brewing and Technical Sales, most recently heading up Group Quality and now Production Manager roles at St Austell Brewery. When not drinking a delicious pint of cask Tribute Mat most enjoys a fresh Saison Dupont and is a keen freediver and spearfisherman.
Vice-Chair
Joe Fifield
Since graduating from the University of Suffolk with a degree in nutrition and human health, Joe has spent the last 7 years with Muntons Malt in various roles. He began his journey within the brewing and distilling sector as Technical Sales Support providing product and application support the team of Sales Managers, Muntons’ network of agents/distributors and directly to customers. He swiftly joined the commercial team as Craft Brewing Area Sales Manager, overseeing malt sales within the craft brewing market in the South of the UK. From there Joe went on to look after brewing malt sales across regional and national brewing accounts, whilst managing export sales to Japan.
Joe currently heads up global brewing malt sales for Muntons Malt, supervising account management, growth and development within the global brewing sector. Much of Joe’s spare time is occupied with raising a young family however he can sometimes be found at Stowmarket Rugby Club - pretending to play rugby and quality controlling the beer in the clubhouse.
Secretary
Pooja Patel
I hold a Master's degree in Brewing and Distilling from Heriot-Watt University and began my career in the industry in 2019 as a Shift Brewer at Camden Town Brewery, which is part of AB InBev. Over the years, I have progressed through various roles, including Front Line Manager, Cold Block Area Owner, and Process Engineer, leading to my current position. I am actively pursuing the Master Brewer qualification with the CIBD and became a member of the CIBD Southern Section Committee in 2024.
Outside of work and studying, I have a passion for traveling and exploring diverse cultures, cuisines, and beverages. I enjoy Hiking holidays and visiting different breweries and distillery in the country I am visiting.
Committee
Left to right:
Alan Pateman (Hon Treasurer), Stewart Tricker, Grzegor Rachon, Pete Channon, Abhishek Banik, Joseph Fifield (Chair), Pooja Patel, Steve Wilkinson (Hon Secretary), Andrew Paterson, Mat Henney (Vice Chair), Moyra Williams.
Not pictured: Matt Anderson, Guy Stewart, Russell Falconer, Derek Orford.
