Thwaites investing for the future says boss

PUB company and brewer DANIEL Thwaites is in the throes of its biggest-ever investment programme – a process which will see it move to a new brewery in its hometown of Blackburn in the next few years.

Chief executive Rick Bailey, a former investment banker, who married-in to the controlling Yerburgh family, told TheBusinessDesk.com that Thwaites is a “very exciting place to be” and he is relishing the challenge of leading the business in to a new era.

Mr Bailey, 38, said that the business, which spans Thwaites Beer Co –  the brewery, 340 pubs, six upmarket Inns of Character and six hotels and spas, said “tens of millions of pounds” would be invested in the next few years, including £14m-£15m this year alone.

“It’s important to state, that brewing beer will remain right at the heart of what we do – it is fundamental to this business.”

This is underlined by the fact that Thwaites – which was founded in 1807 – has recently invested £200,000 in a new craft brewery at  its current Star Brewery site, even though the business will be relocating in the coming years.

Called Crafty Dan, as the the craft brewery has been named, allows Thwaites’ brewing team to created up to three new beers a week, giving the business the opportunity to innovate and experiment with new products in small volume, outside the main brewery.

Mr Bailey, who trained as an accountant with KPMG, before moving to a boutique advisory firm in London specialising in the leisure sector, joined Thwaites in 2002 as a non-executive director, before joining the business full time in 2009.

He said: “It’s a fantastic, challenging role, it’s a very diverse business with a long history and great strength and depth to it.”

The biggest project on Mr Bailey’s desk is that of the brewery move, which was announced last summer. The company has appointed architects and civil engineers Pick Everard to help it undertake feasibility studies on a number of locations.

Mr Bailey said: “We now have a shortlist of three or four locations, all in the greater Blackburn area, but there’s still quite a lot of work to do on this.”

He feels the business, which last year turned over nearly £127m, is well placed for the future, with a clear focus around the four key ‘legs’ of the business.

“We have clarity in where we want to go in all parts of the business, yes the environment is tough and there have been more pressure on consumers in recent months, but we are a strong business.

“We have got a very supportive bank and enough firepower to do what we want to do.”

Central to Thwaites’ plans to move the business forward has been to strengthen its executive team.

Former Greene King director Steve Magnall has just taken over as managing director of Thwaites Beer Co.

He will lead the operations and development of Thwaites Beer Co, and play a key role in the new brewery project and the growth of the beer range and pub estate.

Mr Magnall, pictured, who started his job on May 1 said: “This is an exciting time to be joining Thwaites Beer Co. and I am looking forward to not only helping grow the brands but also be part of a team that will build a new brewery and carry on the great tradition of brewing superbly crafted ales.”