Punch Pubs & Co, Admiral Taverns and Shepherd Neame join the line-up at MCA’s Pub Conference to explore how businesses are evolving to stay ahead of consumer trends.
Three of the leading leased & tenanted operators will also discuss maintaining value for money in a sensitive consumer climate, and how the pub sector can play a positive part in the prospective Labour government’s plans for growth, communities, regional economy, and business rate reform.
The Pub Conference returns on June 26, at a new venue, The Ham Yard Hotel. The conference will feature a full day of presentations and panels, including Q&As with leaders in the pub and bar sector.
Joining this specialist panel is Clive Chesser, who has been CEO of Punch Pubs & Co, now backed by Fortress Investment Group, since 2018. Punch Pubs & Co has 1300 pubs and is headquartered in the traditional brewing centre of Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire.
Previously MD of Greene King’s Brewing Brands and Pub Partners divisions and Operations Director at Enterprise Inns, Chesser has 16 years leadership experience in the pub sector. He is also experienced in International Franchising having held senior roles at SSP and Häagen-Dazs.
Managing director Jonathon Swaine represents Shepherd Neame, the Kent-based family brewer. Swaine has been at the helm of Shepherd Neame’s pubs business since February 2022 and prior to that he spent three years as managing director, retail at casino and bingo business Rank Group.
Before that he has been in the pub sector for most of his career, starting out at Bass (1997-2005), before joining Fuller’s, where he spent 14 years, rising to managing director, Fuller’s Inns.
Finishing the panel line-up is Chris Jowsey, CEO of Admiral Taverns - the 1400 strong community pub company. Jowsey has been CEO of Admiral Taverns, now backed by Proprium Capital Partners, since 2019 and previoulsy held senior positions at Heineken, including On Trade Director, Director at Star Pubs and Bars and Head of Change.
Also on the agenda, sessions from Wetherspoons chairman Sir Tim Martin, Greene King CEO Nick Mackenzie and Stonegate CEO David McDowall. With £100m of new funding from Alchemy Partners, and fresh from being promoted to CEO, Brasserie Bar Co’s Richard Ferrier will also join The Pub Conference line-up.
Further highlights include a women leaders panel hosted by Karen Bosher, hospitality consultant and ex Greene King MD, and an innovation showcase panel with The Devonshire, Buzzworks and Little Door & Co.
This year, MCA’s Pub Conference announces it has a new charity partner, Ask for Angela, an initiative adopted at venues around the UK and internationally to help promote safety and wellbeing for anyone who finds themselves vulnerable.
For more information on the event and the current agenda, and to book your tickets, please click here.
