Marston’s CEO Ralph Findlay to step down after 20 years

Findlay will leave the circa 1,500-strong business at the end of its current financial year ending 30 September 2021.

Marston’s says that the process to appoint his successor is underway and that a further announcement will be made in due course.

“Ralph has been CEO of Marston’s since 2001 and is one of the longest serving business leaders in an industry which has seen significant change and challenges during that time,” says chairman William Rucker. 

“He is widely respected and admired by all those in the hospitality industry and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him. He has overseen the development of Marston’s into one of the leading pub companies in the UK, through operational innovation to drive change and also transforming the business through strategic acquisition.”

Marston’s said Findlay was instrumental in the recent formation of a joint venture with Carlsberg UK and the agreement to operate the SA Brain pub estate in Wales and has guided the company through the last year ensuring it is ready to “re-open as a purely focused pub operator with a substantially strengthened balance sheet and a clear strategic vision for the future”.

“It has been a great privilege to lead Marston’s for 20 years,” says Findlay. “I joined the Board in 1996 and have been fortunate to work with many inspirational, talented and dedicated colleagues in an industry which is very close to my heart.”