Meet the finalists: Best Tenanted/Leased Pub Company (501+ sites) sponsored by CMBC

This year sees a clash of the titans with two previous winners going head-to-head in a bid to see who will triumph.

Both operations are setting standards in their field and with challenging times ahead, it’s good to see the tenanted and leased sector is in good hands.

Admiral​

A three-times Publican Award winner in this category in the past 10 years, Admiral Taverns will be hoping to add a fourth feather to their cap in this year’s competition.

A strong contender over the years, Admiral took the title in 2013, 2016 and 2019, but now under the new leadership of Chris Jowsey, the business will be looking to add to its silverware.

The Chester-based operator has changed significantly since Jowsey took the reins from outgoing CEO Kevin Georgel, almost doubling the size of the estate with the purchase of Hawthorn in 2021.

The £223m deal saw Admiral add nearly 700 pubs to its estate, increasing the overall size of the business to more than 1,600 pubs.

The company has effectively had to merge two businesses together and while that process has proven challenging, a decision to embrace the best bits from both sides has seen a stronger business emerge on the other side.

Greene King​

Another previous winner, having taken the title in 2021, Greene King will be looking to regain the title having missed out in 2022 to rival pubco Punch Pubs & Co.

This is a business which is now under new ownership, following the purchase by Hong Kong-based CK Asset Holdings, and with strong leadership from CEO Nick MacKenzie and MD of partnerships and ventures Wayne Shurvinton, this is a business that is keen to make its mark in the world of pub partnerships.

Strong relationships with its operators and an overhaul of how it equips its partners for success, with a strong focus on technology and innovation has given this business strong forward momentum as the trade focuses on recovery from the pandemic and tackling the challenges ahead.

Greene King are also looking to shake up the tenanted and leased model with the launch of its Hive concept, a managed partner model that offers operators a guaranteed income.

Launched last year, the model is growing rapidly with more than 25 sites now open under the initiative.