Melissa Wisdom has been internally promoted from Operations Director, where she oversaw the development of the premium division, to Sales and Marketing Director, with responsibility for leading the marketing, digital, and sales teams. Melissa joined Stonegate from Diageo, where she held the position of Commercial Director for the On Trade and Diageo Reserve. Prior to Diageo, she held a number of senior positions in retail and manufacturing with both National and Global brands.
Melissa commented “I am excited to join the Stonegate board at such a pivotal point in the Company’s history. There is huge opportunity and scope for Stonegate as the biggest Pub Company in the UK, and it’s sales and marketing strategy sits at the heart of this.”
James Metcalfe joins the Marketing team as Director of Marketing – Insight and Innovation. James joins Stonegate after 10 years at Diageo working in a number of commercial and customer insight roles. James commented: “I am thrilled to being joining Stonegate, having worked with them as a customer of Diageo, it is great to be the other side of the bar. I have always admired Stonegate’s entrepreneurial spirit and agility as an industry leader.” James will be leading on consumer insight and business development.
Simon Longbottom, CEO, said, “Melissa and James bring a wealth of experience and expertise which will further strengthen our Marketing team as we fulfil our vision of raising the bar on the British Pub by being the best for our guests, our people and our communities.”
These two latest appointments are part of a restructure following the departure of
Marketing Director Nicola Pryce who decided to leave Stonegate, following 6 years’ service, to take time out of the work place indefinitely to be closer to her family.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Stonegate Group
Following the acquisition of Ei Group on 3rd March 2020 for £1.27bn, Stonegate Group is the largest pub company in the UK. Its portfolio is comprised of over 4,500 sites, split across the managed division and leased and tenanted businesses.
The managed pubs division, which employs over 16,000 people, is split into Branded and Traditional pubs. Branded is comprised of: Slug & Lettuce, Popworld, Be At One and Venues. Traditional (unbranded) pubs are made up of: Proper Pubs, Town Pub & Kitchen, Classic Inns, Common Room and Craft Union.
Press release from Stonegate Group
For further information, contact Maureen Heffernan on maureenheffernan@leisurepr.co.uk