An exciting new consultancy project is delighted to announce the launch of its services. Brewindex is the brainchild of leading professionals – including former SIBA stalwarts Keith Bott and Julian Grocock – who have a breadth of knowledge and a wealth of experience as senior executives in the beer and pub sector.
The ‘dream team’ consortium is setting out its stall to offer strategic guidance, targeted advice and co-ordinated support to brewing companies, in the context of an increasingly complex, crowded and competitive market. Partners with impressive CVs have joined together as an in-house specialist index, to give clients access to essential areas of expertise: finance, legal and personnel; operational structure and business development strategy; premises, plant design and installation; brewing, packaging and logistics; and marketing, sales and retail.
Keith Bott has co-owned Titanic Brewery since 1988. An experienced hands-on brewer who has worked in all areas of the business, he now focuses on planning and overseeing its growth, with particular responsibility for production and product innovation. He was chairman for twelve of his 18 years on SIBA’s Board of Trustees, and maintains a high industry profile as chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group steering committee.
Julian Grocock spent 22 years with pubco Tynemill (latterly Castle Rock Brewery). After managing three pubs himself, he was Operations Director then MD over a ten-year period. From 2007 to 2014, he was SIBA’s first chief executive, taking charge of and direct responsibility for all trade association activities: membership and services; industry and political liaison; beer and business competitions; the annual conference; and the annual industry report.
Ian Bearpark has enjoyed a lengthy career in brewing, packaging and project engineering, including 19 years with Carlsberg-Tetley (formerly Allied Lyons), two as a project manager with BI Group, and eleven with Thwaites. With the last of these he was promoted from Chief Engineer to Production & Distribution Director, and oversaw the design and installation of the ‘Crafty Dan’ craft brewery. Since 2014 he has worked as a freelance consultant.
Phil Barnett recently retired after 40-plus years with Marston’s and its associated companies. After qualifying as a brewer, he became expert in all aspects of brewing, packaging and logistics. Directorial responsibilities in many operational areas followed, covering production, distribution, contract brewing, sales, retail and export. On retirement he was made a Life Member of the Institute of Brewing & Distilling.
Andy Slee has built a strong strategic and operational track record across multiple functions during a 30-year career at director level with Bass, Coca Cola and Punch Taverns. These include multi-site retail, marketing, national accounts, sales, customer service, e-business, and government affairs. As a non-executive director, he has helped develop Titanic Brewery’s current strategic plan, which is delivering significant sales and profit growth.
Industry specialist solicitors Napthens will also play a key role as associates of Brewindex: Jamie Allison has acted for many clients in leisure, licensing and brewing. He enjoys strong relationships with finance advisers, banks and private equity houses, and is acutely aware of brewing businesses’ asset and corporate funding needs, whether for casks and logistics or development and expansion. He is also attuned to modern beer trends and requirements: brand management and positioning, export assistance and intellectual property issues.
It is anticipated that connections with financial institutions may work both ways, with Brewindex specialist knowledge being called upon by lenders, for evaluation reports on loan applications.
In addition, work has started to build a comprehensive network index of industry contacts and colleagues, to cover every imaginable business requirement.
“The phrase ‘a one-stop shop’ might be a bit of a cliché,” explains primary contact Julian Grocock, “but that’s exactly what Brewindex is planning to be for any enterprise seeking fasttrack and uncomplicated access to operational infrastructure and development resources. We can save time – and therefore money – with incisive analysis of and co-ordinated solutions for every brewery’s imperatives and aspirations.”
An initial two-hour exploratory and diagnostic meeting will be offered free-of-charge and without obligation to existing breweries. For prospective new companies a fee will be charged, but this will be credited against the first full day’s work if consultation services are agreed. The aim is to create a bespoke service tailored and targeted to individual needs, in effect offering a ‘pay-as-you-go’ non-executive director just for as long as required.
Says Grocock: “We all share a lifelong passion for British beer and brewing. Brewindex compacts brewing industry expertise into a single word with a unified vision – to put the WIN at its heart into the hands of those entrepreneurs who seek to enhance their businesses and enrich the industry we love!”