Black Sheep control goes to son Rob
The pair have been working as joint managing directors for a while, but the founder has now taken on the role of chairman.
Jo Theakston, director of marketing and off-trade sales, said: “Dad will stay very much involved two or three days a week, but he’s now able to relax after all he’s put into the business.”
Black Sheep was founded in 1992 and has grown to brew 70,000 barrels a year, with 75% of sales going through the on-trade.
The company doubled the size of its brewing facilities in 2006 to create 80,000 barrels of capacity.
Jo Theakston said: “We’re still growing, albeit at a slower rate in the past four or five years.”
Last Christmas, the company bought a former food production site with plans to move its distribution arm onto it. The company’s best-selling Best Bitter is only available in the on-trade.
Black Sheep celebrates its 20th anniversary in October next year.
Rob Theakston studied at Heriot Watt in Edinburgh and becoming a qualified brewer, then worked a two year stint brewing at Carlsberg in Leeds, returning to Black Sheep as assistant brewer in 2007. Jo Theakston worked at Charles Wells for five years in a sales capacity before joining the family firm.
