Independent family run brewery, T&R Theakston, has announced two changes to its leadership structure as the almost 200-year-old business begins planning for its third century of trading.
From 1st January 2024, Simon Theakston, a descendant of the brewery’s original founder, and who first started working for the Masham-based business in 1981, will take up the role of company chairman. The move comes 20 years after Simon played a leading role in the family buy back of the business from Scottish and Newcastle in 2003.
In this new role, Simon will continue to be actively involved with the business, supporting the board and Richard Bradbury who assumes the role of sole managing director.
Richard has been a director of T&R Theakston since 2015 and joint managing director with Simon since November 2020. He has extensive leadership experience in the brewing industry at both Marston’s and Heineken. He will now continue to work on Theakston’s future growth alongside Simon and maintaining the brewery’s commitment to brewing quality ales for On and Off trade customers to enjoy.
Simon Theakston said: “This is a natural evolution from how Richard and I currently work together. Having jointly charted the company through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the current cost inflation impacts on the brewing and hospitality sectors, this new structure will ensure Theakston’s continued growth as we look forward to its bi-centenary in 2027 and beyond.”
Whilst returning the brewery to family control, Simon has also overseen the business’s incredible growth and shown his commitment to the local economy by holding a number of external positions including the immediate past Presidency of the Yorkshire Agricultural society, organisers of the annual Great Yorkshire Show and a former Chairman of the Yorkshire Beer and Pub Association. He is currently chairman of the Pub is the Hub, a not-for profit organisation, a role he has had since 2009, and is the founding sponsor of the Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival. He will continue in both these roles among others alongside chairing T&R Theakston.
Richard added: “Simon’s commitment to the business, the industry and Yorkshire over the last 40 years and more goes beyond that of most people. As a fifth generation descendant of the founder, his connection with both the brewery, its beers and its fans is deep rooted and as chairman of the business, this will continue.
“Over the last three years, we’ve worked closely together, and it was rewarding, this year, to be able to report a return to profit, despite the challenges many in our industry have and continue to face.
“With firm favourite beers such as Old Peculier and new products like Quencher and Summit performing well, it’s an exciting time to not only be a fan of our beers but be a part of this iconic brewery.”
-ENDS-
For more information contact Chloe Murray or Ben Ormsby at Aberfield Communications on chloe.murray@aberfield.com / ben.ormsby@aberfield.com, or call 0113 880 0444.
About Theakston Brewery
Established in Masham, North Yorkshire in 1827, Theakston Brewery, with nearly 200 years of brewing expertise, is one of the UK’s oldest and most highly regarded traditional ale brewers. Operating as an independent brewer, it is the second largest of its kind under family control in the UK.
There are nine permanent brands in the Theakston range: Theakston Best Bitter, Theakston Old Peculier, Theakston Summit (Chilled Pale Ale), Theakston XB, Theakston Lightfoot, Theakston Quencher, Theakston Barista Stout, Theakston Pale Ale and Theakston Dark Mild, along with a range of well-established seasonal ales. The Black Bull in Paradise, the Theakston Brewery Visitor Centre in Masham welcome visitors throughout the year.
For more information, visit: https://www.theakstons.co.uk/, or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
For more information contact Chloe Murray or Ben Ormsby at Aberfield Communications on chloe.murray@aberfield.com / ben.ormsby@aberfield.com, or call 0113 880 0444.
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