Stockport brewer announces wholesale boardroom shake-up

Robinsons Brewery has announced a raft of changes to its board of directors, with immediate effect.

In a letter to the company’s employees, chairman Peter Robinson announced that, prior to his brother David passing away, he, along with Dennis, had decided to retire from the board after more than 180 years of combined service, adding “as the fifth generation they had all been immensely proud to lead their wonderful family business”.

He also announced that Neil Robinson-Stanier, Veronica Robinson and Paul Robinson would be stepping down from the board as part of a strategic restructure.

He went on to say that they had played very significant roles in the business and thanked them for the positive contribution they had made in their respective areas over the past 17 years as board members.

In announcing the new board, the retiring chairman went on to say: “I have pleasure in announcing that Philip Moody will take on the role of non-executive chairman of Frederic Robinson Limited.

“Philip has been working with the board as an advisor for the last three years and has retired as a senior partner with Smith & Williamson to enable him to accept this position.

“The board believes that Philip’s extensive experience advising family businesses, his leadership responsibilities over his career, and his numerous non-executive and chairman positions held over the last 30 years, make him ideally placed to lead our family business to ensure its independence and longevity for the future.”

He also announced that Tony Smith will become finance director of the company, having joined the business in February this year, previously having held a number of financial directorship roles at the Co-Op and also at Well Pharmacy.

Sara Robinson will be joining the board as a director in addition to her current role as company secretary.

Joint managing directors, Oliver and William Robinson, said: “We are extremely grateful to all of the family members who are retiring from the board for their support and dedication to the development of the business.

“We look forward to working with Philip, Sara and Tony alongside existing NEDs Stephen Oliver and John Edwards as we continue to develop and grow our independent family business.”