This meeting was held at the Old Joint Stock, Birmingham, on Wednesday 31 January 2024. Apologies were received from Chris Holmes, Colin Bodimeade, and Ann Mace. Also present were Mike Sangster (Allens) and Nick Metcalfe (Co. Sec.).
Minutes of the previous meeting were approved. Previous action points were largely completed with a couple carried forward.
Since the previous meeting, the purchase of a further 500 Twickenham Fine Ales had been completed, along with a further investment in Thwaites. Other developments included the completion of the takeover Restaurant Group and downbeat trading statements from Adnams and Revolution Bars Group.
Several routine matters of administration were discussed and dealt with, including receipt of proceeds from the takeovers of Restaurant Group and United Malt. The committee noted recent trends in membership and contributions/withdrawals. The committee also reviewed the accounting treatment of liabilities in respect of deceased members’ estates.
Member and non-member correspondence was reviewed, the chairman having responded to all correspondence received.
Work continues on possible future brewery trips, with a list of potential opportunities starting to take shape.
Some minor changes to the layout of the website were discussed and agreed.
Plans for attendance at the CAMRA members’ weekend in Dundee were discussed, with the potential for some activity to promote CMIC to those CAMRA members attending.
The committee discussed the forthcoming annual review meeting with the club’s brokers.
The committee discussed and noted recent corporate updates from investee companies, and the dates of future investee companies AGM’s, with plans for a representative to attend, where possible. The committee noted that most well run businesses had experienced positive trading over the festive period.
After full and frank discussion, a decision was taken to invest a total of £200K across 10 existing investees.