Beverage boss takes out top gong at Queensland’s 40 Under 40
At Queensland’s 40 Under 40 Awards last night, local CEO and Director Christopher Seaton took home the program’s top honour.
Christopher Seaton, the director of Brewing Brands – a multi-million-dollar family-run distribution business that includes some of Australia’s favourite brands, such as SipCo, Waterboy, Hrvst St and Made With Raw Love – took out the top prize at InDaily‘s 40 Under 40 awards last night.
The beverage doyen started Brewing Brands in 2012. It is now one of the largest independent cafe distributors on Australia’s east coast, with a network of clients including more than 1000 cafes and third-party distributors.
The company made some of its biggest strides in 2023 with the acquisition of competitor Real Friends and Hrvst St cold-pressed juices, boosting the Brewing Brands portfolio to more than 40 food and beverage brands.
Alongside his brother Lawrence, Seaton is also the co-founder of Origin Tea, a business that began as a university assignment at QUT. In the nine years since its inception, Origin Tea has grown by 1900 per cent, forged high-profile partnerships with Coca-Cola, T2, Remedy, and Campos, and made successful forays into the supermarket retail sector.
“Looking back, it has been a wild ride. Since its inception in 2012, Origin Tea quickly became the fastest growing consumer tea business in Australia and one of the top exporters of Sri Lankan tea into Australia,” Seaton said.
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“What started as a university project has become my passion, purpose and livelihood and led me on a journey of rapid growth and expansion in the business world.”
Seaton remains closely involved with QUT, mentoring students and giving them real-world experience.
He also leads social-impact efforts through Brewing Brands and Origin Tea, including partnering with CafeSmart to fight homelessness by raising funds and donating tea to those in need, while also supporting Sri Lankan communities through ongoing initiatives and trainee programs, giving back through meaningful cross-cultural support.
“A large part of what drives me in business is being able to give back. Even from a young age, I have been a passionate mentor and always give back where I can.”
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Seaton expressed his gratitude and surprise at winning and being selected.
“I definitely wasn’t expecting to win, but I’m completely over the moon and so grateful to our entire team to help make this dream happen,” he said last night.
InDaily hosts the 40 Under 40 program to recognise the passion, vision, and achievements of Queensland’s young entrepreneurs and leaders.
Naomi Price, a 40 Under 40 alum from 2023, hosted the Gala Awards Dinner last night at Howard Smith Wharves. The event celebrated outstanding achievements and provided an elegant evening for all attendees.
After Solstice Media managing director Paul Hamra and 2024’s First Among Equals Award winner Kristen Souvlis delivered their speeches, the event celebrated the announcement of the final 40. Attentions then turned to the stage once more for the most exciting part of the evening – the awards.
The First Among Equals Award was selected by the judging panel as the finalist who best embodied the values of 40 Under 40.
As the last award announcement of the night, tensions were high as Paul Hamra praised the unwitting recipient. When the announcer called Christopher Seaton’s name, his table of supporters erupted into whoops and cheers as he made his way to the stage.
Commenting on a running joke throughout the night started by Kristen Souvlis, Seaton quipped he didn’t have a drama degree to jazz up his acceptance speech.
“First of all, I’d like to thank my wife, Claire, who’s been on this crazy journey with us since we started our business,” Seaton said.
