meet our board

Jonathan Adnams OBE, Chairman

Jonathan joined Adnams in 1975 as a brewery engineer and has worked in all areas of the company. He joined the Board in 1988 running Adnams pubs and property and then assumed the role of Managing Director in 1997. In August 2006, Jonathan took over the role of Chairman, in which he remains today.

 

Jonathan has been instrumental in driving Adnams forward in terms of innovation and sustainability. The introduction of the modern, energy-efficient brewing equipment and the world-class distillery that represent Adnams today, are all thanks to Jonathan's vision. Jonathan was awarded an OBE in 2008 for his commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility. In November 2015 Jonathan celebrated completing 40 years at Adnams.

 

Outside of work Jonathan is a keen sailor and spent many years as part of the RNLI Lifeboat crew in Southwold.

Dr. Andy Wood OBE DL, Chief Executive

Andy Wood joined Adnams in the mid 1990’s with responsibility for developing its customer service and supply chain operations. He joined the Board in 2000 as Sales and Marketing Director becoming Managing Director in 2006 and Chief Executive in 2010. Andy has an MBA, a doctorate from Cranfield University and Honorary doctorates; in Business from Anglia Ruskin University, in Science from Cranfield University and Civil Law from the University of East Anglia. He was also awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2013 and is HRH The Prince of Wales’ Ambassador for Responsible Business in the East of England. In 2018 Andy was awarded the FIRST Special Award for Environmental Responsibility as part of a House of Lords presentation on Responsible Capitalism.

 

From the summer of 2010 to April 2014 Andy was the founding Chairman of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership and was instrumental in securing Central Government financial support for a variety of economic development initiatives across Suffolk and Norfolk. In particular the New Anglia LEP area was the only one to secure two City Deals for Ipswich and Norwich.

 

Andy is Non-Executive Chairman of SG Wealth Management (SGWM), a chartered financial planning and wealth management firm operating throughout East Anglia, and a Non-Executive Director of Folk Hotels. He is also a visiting Professor at the University of East Anglia.

 

He has also co-authored a book on Lean and Green Business Systems. The book was awarded the Shingo prize for Operational Excellence in 2013.

Jenny Hanlon, Chief Financial Officer

Jenny started her career training to be an accountant with Ernst & Young. From here she worked across multiple sectors, having spent time with Barclays, Greene King, Willis plc, iprism and GRP Group. Jenny is also Treasurer of Aldeburgh Cinema Trust, providing films and experiences to those in the local community.

 

Jenny joined the Board in June 2020

Dr. Karen Hester, Chief Operating Officer

Karen has a remarkable story that illustrates how determination and hard work really can lead to great things. Karen joined Adnams in 1988 as a part-time cleaner and with a background in Army logistics and transport, her expertise in operational management was soon spotted. Having progressed in logistics, procurement and transport, Karen became Operations Director in 2007. In 2008 Karen won the title of East of England Business Woman of the Year and in 2013 won the CBI First Women, Business of the Year title in recognition of Adnams’ success in supporting women employees to reach their full potential.

 

Karen is also a Magistrate and joined the Adnams Board in 2015. In October 2015, Karen was awarded an honorary doctorate by University Campus Suffolk (UCS). Karen also works with other local organisations as a Non-Executive Director.

Simon Townsend – Non-Executive Director

Simon has extensive experience in the UK hospitality industry, having worked for over 35 years in various sales, marketing, commercial and operational roles. He was most recently Chief Executive Officer of Ei Group plc, the FTSE-listed owner and operator of over 4,000 pubs across England and Wales. Simon served as a non-executive director of FTSE-listed housebuilder Countryside Properties plc from March 2019 to November 2022, is a non-executive director of private equity-owned Cote Restaurants, a Senior Advisor at global consultancy Teneo and a member of the advisory board of diversity and inclusion organisation WiHTL

Simon joined the Adnams Board in January 2023.

Steven Sharp, Senior Non-Executive Director

A former Executive Director of Marks and Spencer, Steven was responsible for Marketing, Financial Services, E-Commerce and Store Development.

 

He is Executive Chairman of Imagineer London, an international Marketing and Branding Agency.

 

Steven is a Fellow of The Chartered Institute of Marketing and a Doctor and Visiting Professor of Glasgow Caledonian University.

Sacha Berendji – Non-Executive Director

Sacha is currently Operations Director at Marks & Spencer, looking after stores and store operations, property and store development for UK and Ireland. Sacha joined M&S in 1994 through the Graduate training programme and undertook various Retail appointments across the country including General Manager of Marble Arch Store and Regional Manager for London. In 2007 Sacha joined the Property Group as Head of Property Planning & Store Development where he was responsible for both new space development and the store modernisation programme, before being appointed Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive in 2009. Following this Sacha joined the General Merchandise division as Director of Merchandising before taking up his current position of Retail, Operations & Property Director in November 2012.

Sacha joined the Adnams Board in February 2023.

Andrew Heald - Non-Executive Director

Andrew has extensive experience in hospitality and distilling and brings complementary skills and experience to the Board, having been involved with Fishers Gin and Hotel Folk for many years. His family have been involved with Adnams since its very early days and are a major shareholder.

 

Andrew joined the Board in June 2023.


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