Pub group Marston's appoints Andrew Andrea as new CEO

Andrew Andrea will replace Ralph Findlay with effect from October 3 at the Wolverhampton-based company, which operates pubs across the region.

His appointment follows Mr Findlay’s decision announced earlier this year to step down from the role of CEO at the end of the current financial year ending October 2.

Mr Findlay will remain in the role until that time in order to ensure an appropriate handover.

Mr Andrea is currently the group’s chief financial officer and corporate development officer.

He has more than 23 years’ experience within the pub and brewing industry and has served on Marston’s board since 2009. In addition to his financial credentials, Andrew has extensive commercial and operational expertise gained from within Marston’s, as well as outside the group.

In addition, he is currently a non-executive director of Portmeirion Group.

Mr Andrea joined Marston’s in 2002. His tenure with the business has included a period in the role of operations director for Marston’s Pub Company during which time he pioneered the highly innovative franchise agreement which is now widely adopted across the pub industry.

A new chief financial officer will be appointed in due course.

The new appointment comes amid change at the company. The brewing arm of Marston's has merged with Carlsberg in a £780 million deal that gives it a 40 per cent stake in the newly-formed Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company.

Mr Andrea said: “I am delighted to have been selected to lead Marston’s at such an exciting time as it embarks on the next phase in its history as a focussed pub operator.

"Despite the challenges of the last year, I am confident that we have a great team of energised and engaged people to deliver our vision, and I look forward to working with them and the board to return the business to growth and optimise the future opportunities available to us.”

William Rucker, chairman of Marston’s, added: “Andrew was the strongest contender from a selection of extremely high calibre candidates under consideration and the unanimous choice of the board for the role of chief executive officer.

"He has clear drive, ambition and outstanding execution skills and these attributes, together with his deep knowledge of – and empathy for – the business, equip him well to lead Marston’s through the next stage of its development.

"The board has every confidence in him and looks forward to continuing to work closely with him in future.”