Kestrel to fly from Wells and Young’s
Nigel McNally is leaving Bedford brewer Wells and Young’s to form a new company - taking with him the company’s Kestrel brand.
The brewer has today confirmed it is in the final stages of negotiations with a view to Nigel, the managing director, buying the Kestrel brand.
Nigel joined Charles Wells Ltd as marketing manager in 1994, later marketing director and then became the first managing director of Wells and Young’s Brewing Company when it was formed in 2006.
Since then he has overseen the acquisition of the Courage, McEwan’s and Younger’s brands and helped to establish the newly formed Wells and Young’s as one of the leading ale brewers in the country.
An opportunity from within the company has arisen that enables Nigel to pursue his ambition of his own drinks business.
He is buying the Kestrel brand and will operate the brewing, distribution and sales of the beer through his new company Brookfield Drinks Ltd.
The formal transfer is due to be completed on October 1, 2012.
Chairman Paul Wells said: “Nigel has made a significant contribution to Charles Wells over the last 18 years and it’s good to know that he will still be involved with one of the brands he’s been associated with for the last few years.
“Whilst Kestrel has been a good brand for us, it isn’t central to our core brand portfolio so his exciting new venture means we’re able to focus our energies and resource on developing our range of distinctive beers.
“This is helped by Nigel’s legacy as he instilled the culture of marketing into the business and steadily developed our ability to grow brands.
“On behalf of everyone involved with Charles Wells I’d like to thank him for his dedication and commitment and wish him every success in the future.”
Nigel McNally said: “I’ve been on an amazing journey with both Charles Wells and then Wells and Young’s. In that time we’ve grown Bombardier by over 700% taking it to be one of the leading premium ales in the market and launched Banana Bread Beer which is now a leading export beer.
“I’m excited about taking ownership of Kestrel and applying some of the successes at Wells and Young’s into my own business and look forward to a new chapter of involvement in this fast moving and vibrant industry.”
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Monday 20 May 2013
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