Thwaites makes three key appointments

Lancashire-based regional brewer Daniel Thwaites has announced a trio of key director appointments as part of a newly-restructured operations board.

Former Punch Taverns operations director for Scotland, Sue Allen, is to assume the newly-created post of commercial director while ex-boss of the La Tasca restaurant chain, Andrew Buchanan, becomes new pub operations director.

A third post of property director is to be taken by 42-years-old John Draper, former head of property for Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises.

Allen,49, who controlled 400 Punch pubs north of the border, will also be responsible for all marketing activities for the Blackburn company.

Buchanan, 44, an ex Scottish & Newcastle and Spirit pubs executive,will take charge of Thwaites' 385 tenancies and 43 managed pubs.

Managing director Peter Morris said the appointments were designed to push forward business in all parts of the company.

"We are delighted to announce these appointments which brings three quality additions to the operations board," he said.

Particular emphasis will focus on developing Thwaites' ale brands, both in the free trade and bottled supermarket sector.

"We are the biggest brewer in the north but need to break out from what has been a parochial environment and become more cosmopolitan in our thinking," Morris added.