Currently chief financial officer and corporate development officer at the 1,500-site pub group, Andrea’s appointment comes after current CEO Ralph Findlay revealed his decision to step down at the end of the current financial year.
Andrea has more than 23 years’ worth of experience within the pub and brewing industry and has served on Marston’s board since 2009 having joined the company seven years prior.
His time with Marston’s has included a period in the role of operations director for Marston’s Pub Company during which time he pioneered the franchise agreement which is now widely adopted across the pub industry.
Most recently, he project managed the disposal of Marston’s Beer Company covering all aspects of the transaction, both financial and non-financial, as well as co-ordinating the SA Brain operational agreement last year
Andrea is also a non-executive director of Stoke-on-Trent-based pottery company Portmeirion Group.
‘Strongest contender’
Discussing his appointment, Andrea said: “I am delighted to have been selected to lead Marston’s at such an exciting time as it embarks on the next phase in its history as a focused pub operator.
“Despite the challenges of the last year, I am confident that we have a great team of energised and engaged people to deliver our vision, and I look forward to working with them and the board to return the business to growth and optimise the future opportunities available to us.”
William Rucker, chairman of Marston’s, added: “Andrew was the strongest contender from a selection of extremely high calibre candidates under consideration and the unanimous choice of the board for the role of chief executive officer.
“He has clear drive, ambition and outstanding execution skills and these attributes, together with his deep knowledge of – and empathy for – the business, equip him well to lead Marston’s through the next stage of its development.
“The board has every confidence in him and looks forward to continuing to work closely with him in future.”