Former Punch director joins Cains board

December 4, 2007: Cains Beer Company has recruited former Punch Taverns executive Francis Patton to the position of non-executive director. The company has also announced that an existing non-executive director, Simon Wood, will be stepping down from the board.

Mr Patton has more than 20 years’ experience in the pub and restaurant sector. Most recently, he was the customer services director of Punch, where he played a key role in driving operational performance and delivering strong growth.

	PUBS STRATEGY
	In June, Cains became Liverpool’s newest stock market-quoted company, listing on the Alternative Investment Market through the reverse takeover of Preston-based pubs owner Honeycombe Leisure. Shortly after the takeover, chief executive Sudarghara Dusanj said the newly-enlarged company intended to expand its pubs estate through acquisitions.

Before taking on that role, he was the commercial director of Punch, where he was responsible for supplier negotiations and the marketing of the company and its products to the City and to other key stakeholders.

Prior to working at Punch, Mr Patton spent 12 years with Allied Domecq, starting at Joshua Tetley and was latterly with Allied Domecq Inns. He is also a non-executive council member of the British Institute of Innkeeping and a council member of the British Beer and Pub Association.

“It’s going back to where I started,” said Mr Patton. “I began my career at Joshua Tetley, a family brewer.

“What [Cains] has done with the brands has been impressive. It’s an exciting place to be — especially given Liverpool’s status as the European city of culture next year — and I’m looking forward to working with the rest of the board.”

Cains chief executive Sudarghara Dusanj said: “I am delighted to welcome Francis to our board. His breadth of operational experience within the brewing and pub sector, allied to his City and IR experience, will be a key asset to the long-term strategy of Cains going forward.

“I would also like to thank Simon Wood for all of his help over the last seven months. His advice has played an important part in the successful integration of the Honeycombe estate.

“This new appointment significantly strengthens the Cains board and puts the company in a strong position to fulfill its vision of becoming Britain’s favourite beer company.”