Former Gales director joins board at Fuller's
New Fuller's director Nigel Atkinson talks exclusively to morningadvertiser.co.uk about the future of his old employer Gales under the Fuller's umbrella.
Fuller's has appointed former managing director of Gales, Nigel Atkinson, as a non-executive director.
The London brewer bought Gales, all its beers and 111 pubs for 92m last year and brewing ended at Gales last week.
The sale and end of production has been opposed in Gales' homeland in Hampshire but according to Atkinson it was too good an opportunity for the company to miss.
He told morningadvertiser.co.uk in an exclusive interview: "This is a very exciting time for Gales. It was very sad saying goodbye to a number of production and brewing staff last week but the future looks excellent for Gales."
Atkinson said Gales' pubs and beers will continue to carry the company's branding but will benefit hugely from being part of Fuller's.
"If you look at the two companies' pubs you will see they are a perfect match geographically. Fuller's now has a very good position from which to grow in central and southern England."
"We have added together two strong businesses."
Atkinson will represent Fuller's in Hampshire and advise them on the Gales business and the future plans for its former Horndean brewery site.
Anthony Fuller, chairman of Fuller's said: "I am delighted to welcome Nigel onto the Board of Fuller's. We have nothing but admiration for the way in which he has managed the Gales business over the last 15 years.
"We believe he will be instrumental in ensuring our continued success and we will benefit from his experience, knowledge and advice as we take the Fuller's business forward."
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Your CommentsE Atkinson via email 05/04/2006 "Maybe Nigel Atkinson (not related) should have said, "It was very sad saying goodbye to the twenty-one production and brewing staff who lost their jobs due to our decision to sell to Fuller's, but the future looks excellent for Gales and more importantly for me, thanks to my new position with Fuller's."
