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3 JD Wetherspoon
Key personnel: Tim Martin, chairman; John Hutson, chief executive
The iconic c900-strong managed operator, led by the force of nature that is Tim Martin, has enjoyed another year in the headlines. The opening of its first motorway pub, at the M40’s Beaconsfield services (pictured), led to a storm of publicity — most of it negative. The company also secured new sites in Ireland and at Terminal 2, Heathrow, launched a training scheme for its 30,000-plus front-line staff, and introduced cans of beer into its pubs. Martin himself continues to push strongly for a reduction in the level of VAT for pubs, despite ministers claiming the campaign has “no chance” of success.
