J D Wetherspoon: Roaring back into profit growth - with chairman Sir Tim Martin

Fresh from celebrating the pub company’s best results in years, founder and chairman Sir Tim Martin returns to the Pub Conference to share how Wetherspoons has achieved a surge in profits. Sir Tim will also discuss the company’s target to reach 1,000 sites, lessons learned the turbulence of recent years, and the importance of spending time in pubs and listening to customers.

Greene King: Building brilliant pub brands - with CEO Nick Mackenzie

With a number of brands under its umbrella, providing a variety of experiences for its customers, Greene King is a fine example of a modern hospitality business. In this keynote fireside chat, CEO Nick Mackenzie will discuss where the pub company is investing in its pubs and new formats, why its cultural transformation matters to teams and customers, and the group’s plans for long-term sustainable growth.

Stonegate: Superpower scale, with David McDowall, CEO

David McDowall has been at the helm of Britain’s largest pub group, comprising more than 4,500 branded, operator-managed, and leased & tenanted venues, since January 2023. In this keynote session, he will share progress on embedding his strategic vision into the company, how he is the embodiment of its bar-to-boardroom culture, and how the group is utilising data insights to optimise its diverse portfolio, which he describes as Stonegate’s superpower.

People and culture panel: how relevant is the pub sector to the talent which could help it thrive? with BrewDog, ETM, Fullers and Wells & Co.

Karen Bosher, hospitality consultant and ex Greene King MD, hosts a panel of dynamic women leaders to discuss diversity and inclusion for the pub sector. How do pub companies best manage and enable neurodiversity? What’s the future for greater inclusivity in pub sector leadership, to include women and other under-represented groups?

PANELLISTS

• Karen Bates, Global People Director, BrewDog
• Rachel Masing, People Director, ETM
• Monique Samra, people experience manager, Fuller’s
• Franki Hale, Chief People Officer, Wells & Co

Clive Watson: How to win in pubs

Fresh from selling City Pub Group to Young’s in a deal worth £162m, Clive Watson sits down to reveal the story behind building and striking a deal for the premium pub company. He will also look back on a career in the trade, including eight years as FD at Regent Inns when he boosted profits 20-fold, as well as selling Tup Inns to Massive in 1999 and Capital Pub Company to Greene King in 2011. The entrepreneur will share the secrets behind building and selling pub groups, and his perspectives on the health and future of the sector.

Heartwood Collection: Premium pubs, home from home. Richard Ferrier, CEO.

It’s been a transformational year for the company formerly known as Brasserie Bar Co, as it doubles down on its premium freehold pub business, prepares to build out its strongest ever pipeline, and ventures into accommodation for the first time. With £100m of new funding from Alchemy Partners, and fresh from being promoted to CEO, Richard Ferrier will share more about plans to reach 60 sites and more than 500 bedrooms by 2027.

Panel: investing in the high street - the future of branded bars with Loungers, Piper, OakNorth Bank and UK Hospitality

As the high street weathers turbulence in the economic and consumer climate, this panel explores how branded bars are adapting to meet the challenges. From pioneering female-friendly brands, to all-day offerings, to special experiential occasions, our guests will consider the outlook for investment across Britain’s towns and city centres.

• Justin Carter, group MD, Loungers
• Libby Gibson, founding partner, Piper private equity
• Kate Nicholls, CEO, UKHospitality
• Deepesh Thakrar, senior director debt finance, OakNorth Bank

Sustainability panel: Efficiency, brand values and resilience

In this discussion chaired by Mark Chapman, founder and CEO of the Zero Carbon Forum, our panel will consider opportunities to cut carbon and food waste, how to effectively communicate a sustainability mission with customers and teams, and where operators can mitigate the effects of global warming and impact on key commodities within their businesses.

PANELLISTS

• Laura McKay, marketing & communications director, St Austell Brewery
• Ollie Rosevear, director of sustainability, Fullers Smith & Turner
• Graham Hall, director, Drake & Morgan