Greene King
"The architect of Greene King’s success" - Rooney Anand on retiring chairman Tim Bridge
Last week, after 45 years of service, our chairman, Tim Bridge, retired.
Tim has been the architect of Greene King’s success over many years and a prominent figure in the industry. He has always been a fervent supporter of staff recognition, particularly long service, so it is poignant to recognise Tim’s dedication to the company and pay tribute to the enormous contribution he has made in making Greene King the business it is today.
Tim started working with Greene King in 1970 in the free trade sales team. He joined as young man who had done his tutelage at Hall & Woodhouse.
Back then, the company had a turnover of £10m and profits of £1m. There were 900 employees and 900 pubs. Today the company has turnover of around £2bn, profits of £350m, 3,100 pubs and 42,000 employees.
He became a director of the company in 1977 and in 1990 became the company's managing director.
Tim led the expansion into pubs. He forged our push to get closer to customers by using the company's beer income to finance the purchase of pubs at a time when the bigger players were forced by the Beer Orders to decide between being an international brewer or a pub company. Going against the grain, Tim chose to buy pubs, but stayed committed to brewing.
He became CEO in 1994 and set an ambitious course. The next big moment came in 1996, when Greene King bought the Magic Pub Company. This was a turning point, paving the way for the company in managed pubs. Tim recognised that having control of the offer and staying directly in touch with customers was vital – something which remains at the core of the business.
A stream of other deals followed. Marstons’ southern pubs, Morland and Old English Inns; then in 2004, Greene King acquired Laurel Pub Co, taking us from 500 to over 900 managed pubs.
Having transformed the approach and scale of the business, Tim became chairman in 2005.
Tim’s qualities as a Chairman have helped the company prevail where others have stumbled and allowed us to push ahead at every crossroads without turning our back on our roots.
He's a brilliant businessman - shrewd and not prone to excessive risk, but not afraid to take a big plunge when he senses an opportunity. He’s a people person who respects the ideas and energy of others and has always tried to run the company as a family firm.
After 45 years of great service he leaves Greene King established finally as the leader in its field, respected by customers, staff, shareholders and even our rivals.
He's a busy man. It's with great skill that Tim has fitted such a successful and distinguished career into his main pursuits - shooting, fishing, cricket, horse racing and socialising. He always remembers that life is for fun as well as ambition. It's a rare and special person who can pull that off.
We wish Tim a healthy and happy retirement and bid him a fond and heartfelt farewell.
Rooney Anand is Chief Executive of Greene King
Timeline
- 1970 - joined Greene King
- 1977 - became Free Trade director
- 1990 - became Managing Director
- 1994 - became CEO
- 1996 - Acquisition of Magic Pub Company
- 2004 - Acquisition of Laurel Pub Company
- 2005 - Just over 30 years after joining the company, became Chairman
- 2015 - Acquisition of Spirit Pub Company
