Nigel McNally and Wells and Young’s are in the final stages of negotiations with a view to Nigel McNally buying the Kestrel brand. The aim is for the sale of Kestrel to be completed on the 1st October 2012.
Nigel joined Charles Wells Ltd. as Marketing Manager in 1994, was subsequently appointed Marketing Director and then became the first Managing Director of Wells and Young’s Brewing Company when it was formed in 2006. Since then he has overseen the acquisition of the Courage, McEwan’s and Younger’s brands and helped to establish the newly formed Wells and Young’s as one of the leading ale brewers in the country.
An opportunity from within the company has arisen that enables McNally to pursue his desire for his own drinks business. As a result, he is buying the Kestrel brand from Wells and Young’s and will operate the brewing, distribution and sales of the beer through his new company Brookfield Drinks Ltd.
“Nigel has made a significant contribution to Charles Wells over the last 18 years” commented Chairman Paul Wells “and it’s good to know that he will still be involved with one of the brands he’s been associated with for the last few years.
“Whilst Kestrel has been a good brand for us, it isn’t central to our core brand portfolio so his exciting new venture means we’re able to focus our energies and resource on developing our range of distinctive beers. This is helped by Nigel’s legacy as he instilled the culture of marketing into the business and steadily developed our ability to grow brands. On behalf of everyone involved with Charles Wells I’d like to thank him for his dedication and commitment and wish him every success in the future”
Nigel McNally commented “I’ve been on an amazing journey with both Charles Wells and then Wells and Young’s. In that time we’ve grown Bombardier by over 700% taking it to be one of the leading premium ales in the market and launched Banana Bread Beer which is now a leading export beer.
“I’m excited about taking ownership of Kestrel and applying some of the successes at Wells and Young’s into my own business and look forward to a new chapter of involvement in this fast moving and vibrant industry.”
The formal transfer agreement is expected to be completed on October 1st 2012 at which point responsibility for Kestrel will switch from Wells and Young’s to Brookfield Drinks Ltd.
For immediate release: Tuesday 25 September 2012
For Further information, contact: Kate Hempsall, Charles Wells Ltd
07976 941958 or kate.hempsall@charleswells.co.
Or Nigel McNally, Brookfield Drinks Ltd
07807 135661 or nigel.mcnally@
Kate Hempsall
Head of PR
Charles Wells Ltd
DEL: 01234 279209
MOB: 07976 941958