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14th January 2013

ILKLEY BREWERY ADDS A FEMALE TOUCH WITH NEW APPOINTMENTS

Yorkshire’s award-winning brew house, Ilkley Brewery, has upped its numbers to 12 with the appointment of three new female members of staff.

Harriet Marks becomes the brewery’s first ever brewster (female brewer); Alexa Jennings takes the role of office manager; and Claire Dunne joins the business as credit controller.

All three appointments reflect the brewery’s continued growth in 2012 which positions it well for further success in coming years. 2012 was also the year Ilkley Brewery beat off competition from 3,000 other small businesses to win the national Local Business Accelerators campaign which saw them win a mentorship programme from Dragon’s Den’s Deborah Meaden. A further six industry awards also graced the brewery’s burgeoning mantelpiece giving the four year old business a global platform which it will use to progress its export plans in 2013.

 

Speaking about her recent appointment, Harriet commented: “Having worked in viticulture on Australian vineyards prior to this post, I was keen to pursue a career in the drinks industry when I returned home to Yorkshire last year. Here, craft beer is undergoing an exciting revolution and I love being involved in the entire brewing process.

 

“Back in the pre-industrial age, women were the original ‘brewsters’ so it’s brilliant to be joining Ilkley Brewery alongside two other female beer advocates.”

 

Alexa Jennings joins Ilkley Brewery as office manager having previously worked at Tax Assist Accountants as an account technician. She will be managing the purchase ledger and month-end procedures as well as the day-to-day co-ordination of the brewery’s operations.

 

Taking the position of credit controller is Claire Dunne who has an extensive background in the pub trade having previously owned a pub and worked for a number of years with Market Town Taverns. Claire will be responsible for facilitating payments and liaising both with suppliers and customers.

 

For all the latest from the spa town brewery, visit the brewery’s website www.ilkleybrewery.co.uk or read its blog at www.ilkleybreweryblog.blogspot.com

 

ENDS

 

Image attached (high resolution version available on request):

–       Left: Harriet Marks joins Ilkley Brewery as its first ever brewster and Alexa Jennings becomes office manager.

 

Media contact:

For further media information, please contact Katy Barraclough on 07813 094945 or email katy@conwaypr.co.uk

 

Notes to editors:

About Ilkley Brewery

The Ilkley Brewery Co. Ltd. was founded in January 2009. In May 2009, it launched its first beer, Olicana Gold, which was closely followed by Ilkley Best and Ilkley Original who were joined in the summer by the now famous Mary Jane.

A string of awards has followed with most of the beers now brewed by the brewery winning medals at beer competitions up and down the country.

In January 2011, Ilkley Brewery secured a debt and equity package from Glentrool Capital Partners LLP, who also provide corporate support to help grow the company. This enabled Ilkley Brewery to move from its premises on East Parade to a new 2,600 square foot brewery on Ashlands Road, Ilkley. A new 20 barrel brewing plant was installed allowing the brewery to produce 23,000 pints a week.

 

In October 2011, a new 30 barrel fermenter was acquired, taking production to over 32,000 pints a week. In March 2012, production capacity expanded again to close to 40,000 pints a week.

In January 2012, Ilkley Brewery was crowned one of Yorkshire’s most promising companies in the Government-backed Local Business Accelerators campaign, going onto win the national prize in August 2012 for being one of the country’s fastest growing and successful businesses.

 

April 2012 saw the launch of the Origins range, showcasing the best in beer styles and brewing. Medina and Siberia were the first collaboration brews with renowned beer writers, and The Chief, Victorian Pale Dinner Ale, Wit Marie, Green Goddess, and Holy Cow have since followed to much critical acclaim.

 

As of August 2012, bottles of Mary Jane, Ilkley Best, Ilkley Black and Ilkley Pale are available in Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Booths supermarkets across the north of England, as well as Harvey Nichols stores and restaurants nationally.

 

Additional SIBA medals for Ilkley Black and Lotus IPA were awarded in October 2012 (Bronze and Silver respectively).

 

November 2012 saw the first export sales to leave the UK.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Katy Barraclough MCIPR

Conway PR