Greene King boss to step down after 14 years in charge of brewer
The chief executive of Greene King, Rooney Anand, is set to leave his role at the end of the financial year after 14 years in the job, the company announced today.
Anand, who has led the pub chain and brewer since 2005, will step down in April 2019.
Greene King said it has already begun the search for his successor and expects to announce the appointment early next calendar year.
Anand said it had been a “great privilege” to work at the company. “The business is performing in line with our expectations and ahead of the market,” he said.
“With a strong team and business culture firmly in place, the time is now right for me to hand over the baton.”
The pub chain, which employs roughly 39,000 people in the UK, enjoyed strong sales this summer thanks to hot weather and the World Cup. The chain, whose brands include Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen and Abbot Ale, said it sold 3.7m pints of beer during England’s seven World Cup matches.
But Greene King is also contending with rising costs due to the minimum wage increase, higher business rates and a drop in drinking among young Britons.
"Rooney … has proven himself to be one of the most successful and longest serving business leaders our industry has seen, transforming our company over this period," said chairman Philip Yea.
"He will leave us better positioned for the future. Although he remains in his role for another six months, I should like to take this opportunity to thank him publicly on behalf of the board, colleagues and shareholders for all he has done for them, the company and the industry."