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16th February 2023

Theakston raises a toast to new starters

Yorkshire-based brewery, T&R Theakston is starting 2023 with a trio of new hires as the family-owned brewery targets further growth.

The Masham-based business has added three to its head count. Helen Barrett joins as a national account executive, alongside Ben Parkinson and Hayley Dodds-Baddon who join the business as sales development manager and Visitor Centre manager respectively.

Helen brings a wealth of experience in the drinks industry, having spent time eight years at Heineken and most recently working with independent whisky bottler, blender and distiller, Douglas Laing and Co. This experience in the spirits industry will see Helen lead on the brewery’s work in the sector which includes the recently launched

Theakston Spirit of Old Peculier and a collaboration with Ellers Farm Distillery on a new Yorkshire whisky.

Ben joins bringing a wealth of retail experience with him, having worked at Tesco for over 20 years. He will be responsible for growing Theakston’s existing presence in North Yorkshire and Teesside, areas where the business already has strong distribution thanks to its partnerships with Provenance Inns, Black Rose Pubs, Star Pubs and Bars, LWC, Tate Smith and Sunset Wines in Scarborough.

Hayley who previously worked in marketing and is a qualified primary school teacher joins Theakston to lead on its Visitor Centre. The Visitor Centre receives around 18,000 visitors each year and allows fans the opportunity to delve into the almost 200-year history of Theakston and learn the story of its iconic tower brewery, one of the last remaining in the country.

Commenting on the appointments, joint managing director Simon Theakston, said: “In 2022 we sought to drive the business forward under difficult trading circumstances and as we move forward in 2023 with further growth plans, I’m delighted to welcome Helen, Ben and Hayley to our team. After a turbulent start to the decade, everyone at Theakston is excited for the year ahead as we prepare to launch seven seasonal beers, announce new partnerships and continue with preparations for our second centenary in 2027.

“Although there remain economic challenges for not just the beer industry but the whole country, the truth remains that people always enjoy coming together, whether to share in the good times or rally together in the face of adversity. With these latest appointments, we hope to bring our ales of distinction to even more customers and share with them our vision that for Theakston, it’s always been more than just a pint.”

To find out more information about Theakston, purchase its beers or book a brewery tour, please visit: https://www.theakstons.co.uk/.

ENDS

For more information contact Beth Chaplow or Ben Ormsby at Aberfield Communications on beth.chaplow@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.

Theakston’s is one of just two breweries in the country still committed to making and repairing traditional oak casks, employing a full time qualified ‘Journeyman’ Cooper.

There are seven permanent brands in the Theakston range: Theakston Best Bitter, Theakston Old Peculier, Theakston Summit (Cold Pale Ale), Theakston Lightfoot, Theakston Barista Stout, Theakston Pale Ale and Theakston Traditional 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.


Press release from Aberfield Communications.

For more information contact Beth Chaplow or Ben Ormsby at Aberfield Communications on beth.chaplow@aberfield.com / ben.ormsby@aberfield.com, or call 0113 880 0444.