Cask Marque, the UK’s leading beer quality accreditation organisation, is pleased to announce the appointment of two new directors to its Board. These new appointments reflect the organisation’s commitment to strengthening its leadership and driving future growth.
The new directors bring a wealth of experience from a variety of sectors. Their strategic vision and passion for the beer industry will be invaluable as Cask Marque continues its mission of ensuring beer quality standards are maintained across the UK.
James Ullman, Personnel and Retail Audit Director at Wetherspoons, has over 30 years of experience in the pub and brewing industry, and will bring a specific insight into Managed Pub Operations. Meanwhile, Will Rice On Trade Director of Heineken UK brings a deep understanding of commercial leadership gained from over a decade of leading teams in the on and off trade.
“We are thrilled to welcome both James and Will to our Board,” said Francis Patton, The Cask Marque Chairman. “Their leadership experience, combined with their passion for quality and innovation, will play a pivotal role in helping us achieve our ambitious goals to improve the quality and the customer experience in pubs and continue to support the UK’s beer industry.”
The appointments come at a pivotal time for Cask Marque as the organization looks to expand its reach, enhance its offerings, and drive further positive change in the beer sector. With these two new members, the Board is better positioned than ever to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
About Cask Marque
Cask Marque was formed back in 1998 and itself is a “not for profit” organisation. The mission is” To improve the customer experience in the on trade in relation to beer by raising standards of quality and presentation.”
Cask Marque not only offers an accreditation scheme for the quality of beer in the pub but also with checking beer quality at the brewery gate ( Salsa + Beer), in the supply chain (Distributor charter) and star rating cellars . Nearly 7000 pubs currently hold the Cask Marque award for beer quality.
Cask Marque endeavour to ensure that the Board is representative of the industry and the Board includes:
Francis Patton– Chairs Cask Marque and has over 30 years’ experience in the hospitality sector having previously worked for Joshua Tetley, Allied Breweries and Punch Taverns. He now combines his teaching responsibilities at Leeds Business School with a series of Non-Exec roles and Directorships within the health and drinks sector.
Paul Nunny – A Chartered Accountant by profession and was previously Sales & Marketing Director of Adnams and is the Founder of Cask Marque and Stay in a Pub. He is also a Non-Exec in the industry.
Will Rice – A member of the UK Management Team at Heineken since 2023 having spent the previous 10 years with Heineken UK in a number of senior commercial leadership roles across Star Pubs & Bars and both the Off and On Trade. Will leads the On Trade Team encompassing sales, e-commerce, CX, category, revenue management, tech services and operations. Will joined Heineken UK from L’Oreal where he started his career on their Commercial Management Trainee scheme. Will is passionate about pubs, people and pints!
James Ullman – Joined JD Wetherspoon in 1994 and was appointed to the board in 2022. He is a graduate of Brighton University and Birmingham City University. He became a chartered internal auditor in 2011.
Matt Starbuck – joined Greene King in August 2018 as Managing Director of Greene King Brewing & Brands from Produce World where he was Group Managing Director. Matt has extensive commercial leadership experience in brand marketing with United Biscuits and Entenmanns and supply chains within the UK food sector including Tulip and Glanbia. Matt joined Cask Marque as a Non-Exec in June 2019.
Suzanne Baker – began her career in hospitality with Wetherspoons and last year stepped down from her role as Commercial Director at Stonegate. She has since joined the Board of Market Taverns as a Non-exec Director and has been a Non-Exec of Cask Marque since 2017.
Darran Britton – joined Carlsberg in 1993 and rose through the company to become a Board Director in 2006. Darron left in 2016 to set up Darran Britton Consulting helping organisations identify real growth opportunities and advising them on the best ways to capture them to build their business. Darran has been on the Cask Marque Board since 2006.
Keith Bott – has been a part of Titanic Brewery since the 1980’s becoming a Director in 2003 growing it from a small micro-brewery. He has also been Chairman and president of SIBA and acted as an advisor to the Parliamentary Beer Club and joined the Cask Marque Board in 2014.
Andrew Turner – joined St Austell as MD for Beer & Brands in 2020 and became their Chief Operating Officer in 2022. He oversees all of St Austell Brewery’s day-to-day operations, across its beer business and pub estate. Andrew had previously been employed at Heineken since 2000. Andrew has been a Non-Exec at Cask Marque since January 2023.
Martyn Cozens – Has been in the brewing industry for more than 30 years holding many positions within Molson Coors rising to Director of On-Trade in 2023. Since leaving he has held Non-Exec positions with Wadworth, Heron & Brearley, Tiny Rebel and Cask Marque.
For further information or press enquiries please contact
07768 614065
For more information on Cask Marque do visit their website www.cask-marque.co.uk
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