Andy Slee departs Punch Taverns

Duncan Garrood, who was appointed chief executive of the pubco last month, said: “Andy is leaving to pursue his consultancy business, which he ran before joining Punch.

“However, as an instrumental figure in spearheading our dialogue with politicians and Government over pub company regulation, he will continue to represent our external interests with Government, politicians and interest groups.

This will mean that Andy will still be very much part of the Punch team. We wish to thank Andy for all his work, especially in developing the Punch Taverns Buying Club, and we are all looking forward to continuing to work with Andy in the future.”

The company said Jackie Burn would over responsibility for central operations from 1 August, as well as continuing in her role as HR Director.

Public face​

Slee acted as the public face of Punch in negotiations over the new statutory pubs code and on relations with tenants. He won plaudits for addressing members of CAMRA on how the pubco worked with licensees.

Speaking after the Government agreed to introduce the code, Slee said: “I think it’s recognised that Punch have been one of the leading lights in changing the relationship with landlords and tenants in recent years and the relationship we have with our tenants is very different to five or six years ago.

“But we’re not complacent on that at all. We’re always striving to improve the way that we do things.”