Marston's chief executive to take the helm at C&C Group

Marston's chief executive Ralph Findlay (pictured) is to take the helm at drinks producer C&C Group next year.

Findlay is to step down from Marston's on 2 October after 20 years with the company.

He will join C&C, which is behind brands including Bulmers and Magners, as non-executive director and chair designate from 1 March 2022. It is expected he will succeed Stewart Gilliland as chair in July 2022.

Andrew Andrea, current chief financial officer at Marston's, will take over as chief executive of the pub group following Findlay's departure.

William Rucker, chairman of Marston's, said: "I am delighted for Ralph on his forthcoming appointment at C&C and his continued involvement in the wider sector. He leaves with our very best wishes and on behalf of the board of directors and all at Marston's I would like to wish him every success in his new role."

At Marston's, Findlay oversaw a merger with Carlsberg and guided the company through the pandemic. This included taking on the operation of over 150 SA Brain pubs in Wales and seeing off an unsolicited takeover approach from US-based private equity firm Platinum Equity.

Earlier this year C&C Group raised £150m through a rights issue to aid its recovery from the pandemic.