WELCOME BACK TASSIE!
WELCOME BACK TASSIE!
THA DEPUTY CEO Brad Upton
‘Born into the industry’ T he THA’s new Deputy CEO will be a familiar face to many in the industry and he has a very strong hospitality pedigree. “I grew up in the Tasmanian hotel industry. Our family had a hotel in South East Tasmania and having spent many of my formative years in the hotel, I’m sure that’s where my love of the industry stems.” Brad said. Despite his family selling the hotel in the late 80’s to take on a Newsagency, Brad’s love for the hospitality sector remained holding several waiting, gaming and bar positions around several Hobart venues whilst he put himself through an Advanced Diploma of Hospitality at Hobart’s Drysdale Institute. After turning down an offer to return to Drysdale to teach after graduating, Brad moved into the retail environment running a sports store in the middle of the Hobart CBD. This didn’t last long though with the call of the hotel industry too strong, and after two years, Brad moved into a Cadet Area Manager role with Carlton and United Breweries at Cascade. “The role was very broad. I felt like a jack of all trades, but it gave me the opportunity to travel the state and meet the great people of our industry. I was putting up decals on bottle shop windows, selling beer and non-alcohol, helping with marketing and learning the ropes of the industry” added Brad. Brad spent the next 17 years at CUB, working in all sections of the business and played key roles locally through their wine acquisitions and demergers. His roles included managing key customer groups on premise, planning all retail banner groups for Tasmania and leading the Tasmanian Field Sales team on several occasions.
“Having spent time in such varied roles and categories, plus being involved in our family businesses, it has helped me get a better understanding of a lot of the challenges our customers face and ways in which I can support them. Not all businesses are the same, and this is true for people as well. I like to look at each person and challenge on its merits and work out how I can best provide a win-win outcome for everyone.” I’m looking forward to joining Steve and the THA team to help our members and our industry, be that on the road to recovery or as we work together to make our industry stronger than ever.” In 2016 Brad was appointed the State Sales Manager for Lion, a role which he has held until now. This role has seen Brad grow as a leader and has given him a different insight into the Tasmanian hospitality industry. “The people and culture of Lion are what make it such an amazing place to work. They have a vision of keeping the customer at the heart, and they live this every day. This is one of the core values I hold and something I look forward to bringing to my new role with the THA.” Brad had many achievements at Lion, amongst those being one of the largest market share regions in Australia for Lion and bringing back Boags St George exclusively for the independent trade. However, he says the most rewarding was being able to maintain and grow his friendships across the industry whilst broadening his skill set. When asked why he had never moved interstate with either of the breweries he responded “Angela (partner) and I have a young family (Will 11 & Ollie 7) and believe Tasmania is the greatest location to raise a family, having both been born
Ben Beach Hotel Burnie
I’m looking forward to joining Steve and the THA team to help our members and our industry, be that on the road to recovery or as we work together to make our industry stronger than ever.” Brad joins the THA on Monday the 21st of September and looks forward to engaging with all members and corporates in his new role.
and raised here ourselves. I love Tasmania, and my passion has always been for the Tasmanian hospitality sector, so the choice of moving away has never been one I’ve entertained too much”. “I’ve been fortunate roles and opportunities have presented themselves for me to stay here, continue to develop myself and give back to an industry that has given me so much over the years.” “The COVID restrictions have impacted everyone in different ways, it’s devastating to see such wide-spread impact on our industry but the way the whole industry has banded together during this crisis shows what an amazing industry it is.
THA HOSPITALITY—REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 2020 | 22
THA HOSPITALITY—REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 2020 | 23
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