‘Our senior team is in place to oversee and guide the delivery of Vision 250 leading up to our 250th birthday in 2027.’

The message from Anthony Woodhouse, Executive Chairman of Hall & Woodhouse, after the appointment of Ann Elliott as Non-Executive Director.

She joins the independent family-owned brewer with more than 30 years’ experience of working within the hospitality sector.

Ann spent the first part of her career with Whitbread, where for nine years she sat at Board level as Marketing Director of Pizza Hut, followed by Beefeater in the same role.

Ann also spent an additional five years in operations for Whitbread Pub Partnerships where she was responsible for 280 pubs.

More recently, she founded Elliott’s Agency in 2001, which became the leading integrated marketing agency in hospitality and leisure.

Ann said: “I am absolutely thrilled to join the Board at H&W and look forward to working with the team to deliver a heavy focus on the voice of the guest and the guest experience.

“As H&W is a values-led company, I am keen to live and breathe ‘The Way of Woodhouse’ to ensure that my contribution to the business helps to create continued success and longevity for the next generation.”

Ann replaces Mike Street who stepped down in May after ten years on the Board.

Anthony Woodhouse said: “Ann joins H&W with a wealth of knowledge and experience from her extensive career in our industry and will be a dynamic force on the Board.

“Her contribution will be vital as we adjust to the new normal and look to continue to grow our business in this challenging environment.

“I would like to thank Mike for his contribution over the past ten years during a period of major change.

“His wisdom and guidance in relation to hospitality, culture and safety has been invaluable and greatly appreciated.”

Over the past two years, H&W has undergone a significant period of transition at Board and senior team level following a number of retirements, promotions and appointments.

The new Board now comprises:

• The Woodhouse family represented by Anthony Woodhouse (Executive Chairman), Mark Woodhouse (Family Director) and Lucinda Gray (Next Generation Family Director)
• Independent Non-Executive Directors: Tim Clarke and Ann Elliott
• Executive team led by Matt Kearsey (Managing Director) with Mark James (Property Director), Dean Livesey (Great Place to Work Director), Paul Barnett (Finance Director) and Marianne Jarvis (Company Secretary, Associate Director)

The senior team is completed with the additional Associate Directors, Toby Heasman (Head Brewer), Chris Chapman (Head of Business Partnerships), Duncan Rouse (Head of Managed Operations) and Gwen Ridsdale (Head of Group Marketing and Sales).

Anthony, pictured left, said: “I feel that we now have in place an outstanding and well-balanced Board and senior team that will oversee and guide the delivery of our Vision 250 – our business strategy leading up to our 250^th birthday in 2027.”

Hall & Woodhouse was founded in 1777 by Charles Hall, a Dorset farmer, who opened a brewery in the village of Ansty.

More than 60 years on, his son Robert (who inherited the brewery) brought Edward Woodhouse into the business as his commercial partner.

Edward fell in love with, and married, Charles Hall’s grand-daughter – Hannah Dodge – and Hall & Woodhouse was born.

Hall & Woodhouse now has 180 pubs, stretching from Bristol to Exeter and London to Brighton.

Its award-winning range of Badger bottled ales is stocked nationally in leading supermarkets.

Hall & Woodhouse is still family owned with Anthony Woodhouse and Mark Woodhouse as the current seventh generation stewards.