Marston's boss David Thompson quits
Marston's today revealed a boom in profits – as it announced chairman David Thompson is to retire after a quarter century heading the business.
Mr Thompson, aged 58, is a descendent of one of the company's founding families and has worked in the business for 35 years. He was managing director from 1986 to 2001 when he took up the role as chairman.
The news came as the firm produced a resilient performance out of a tough year. The Banks's brewer saw total sales revenue up 5.5 per cent to £719.7 million as underlying pre-tax profits rose 9.2 per cent to £87.8m in the first half of its year.
The company has continued to forge ahead with its 'F-Plan': a focus on food, families, females and 40-50 somethings, building two dozen new pubs in the last year including the Chestnut Tree at Wednesbury. Chief executive Ralph Findlay said the new pub's performance had been "fantastic".
Meanwhile the company is building its first ever pubs in Scotland next year as it creates another 1,000 jobs.
Marston's paid tribute to its departing chairman: "David's contribution to the company and the industry has been immense, and his intellect and capacity for hard work have been invaluable. He will remain as chairman until his successor is appointed."
