People: New chairman at Black Sheep Brewery; Series of appointments at Andrew Jackson Solicitors; and more

An experienced beer and pub industry professional is to become chairman of North Yorkshire-based Black Sheep Brewery.

Andy Slee will take up the role this month and Paul Theakston, founder and current chairman, will remain on the Board as a Non-Executive Director (NED).

Andy, 52, from Staffordshire, has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry and has been a NED at Black Sheep Brewery since 2016.

He has enjoyed a successful executive career with a number of leading brands, including Coca Cola and most recently as External Affairs and Central Operations Director at Punch Taverns.

Andy completed his Financial Times NED Diploma in 2014 before becoming a NED at the Masham-based brewery last year.

In his role as chairman, Andy will work mainly with Managing Director Rob Theakston to build on Black Sheep’s reputation as one of the preeminent independent brewers in the UK, by supporting the executive team and utilising the pair’s extensive industry experience.

Slee said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as Chairman of Black Sheep Brewery, which is a great privilege to oversee one of the Yorkshire’s iconic institutions. I hope to draw on my extensive experience from working with a number of large brands within the industry and build this into the future of Black Sheep.

“It will be a great honour to work with Rob and the rest of the Board, including Paul whose continued involvement will be great asset to the company. He is the very DNA of Black Sheep and our collective experience, together with his wise guidance and counsel, will be important to the future success of Black Sheep Brewery.”

Paul Theakston was an early pioneer against bland beer and mass corporations when he established Black Sheep Brewery in 1992, and has worked in the industry for more than 50 years. Two of his sons, Rob and Jo, form part of the Black Sheep management team, as Managing Director and Sales and Marketing Director, respectively.

Rob became Joint Managing Director alongside Paul in 2010, until 2011 when Paul stepped up to chairman.

Paul Theakston added: “Andy possesses extensive industry experience working with large corporations and breweries, which will support the Board and management team immensely. I am looking forward to working with him and the Board, as we continue to develop the Black Sheep brand.”

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Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP has made a number of appointments this month.

The firm has appointed solicitor Pippa Collins; paralegal, Emma Dransfield; paralegal, Chris Harris; and specialist trusts administrator,  Sonia Jeffery.

Richard Hoare, partner and head of private client services, said: “Andrew Jackson is committed to providing an exemplary client-focused service and we are very proud that our excellent private client team continues to be recognised by the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners UK.

“The appointments of Pippa, Emma, Chris and Sonia underline our commitment to the provision of timely, personal legal advice built around our clients’ individual needs and the increasing demand for the expertise we have within both our tax & trusts and family teams.”

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The Leeds office of national law firm Mills & Reeve has appointed Jaspaul Dhesi to its corporate team.

Jaspaul has joined as an associate from Rollits in Hull. Dhesi will advise on the full spectrum of corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, disposals and re-structuring.

Partner Paul Johnson, who leads the corporate team in Leeds, said: “I am delighted that Jaspaul is joining the team. We have had a very busy year and Jaspaul’s appointment reflects the growing demand for corporate services from our burgeoning client base.”

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