Amber Taverns, which has its headquarters in Blackpool, made the announcement on Thursday 22 May with Brooke’s role beginning in mid-August 2025.
The operator of 182 freehold community, wet-led pubs, said Brooke will succeed James Baer, the current CEO who founded Amber in 2005, with Baer taking on the role of chairman.
Amber Taverns, which it claimed is a “leading value-focused pub group, uniquely focused on the hybrid ‘operator-managed’ business model with a strong sport and live entertainment offering”, has locations across the UK and is increasingly expanding its geographic footprint across the south of England, with new locations secured in Bedford, Cheltenham, Stroud and Gosport.
Significant experience
An experienced operator, Brooke joins Amber from Admiral Taverns where he has been MD of Proper Pubs, the operator managed division of that business, since 2021.
He brings significant experience of pub retailing, and the operator managed model in particular, having had previous senior operational roles at Hawthorn Leisure and Ei Group/Stonegate Pub Company from 2011 until 2020.
Prior to this, Brooke held several senior management positions within the food, finance and retail sectors.
Baer said: “We are delighted to welcome Mark on board as CEO. Mark successfully developed the operator managed divisions of both Hawthorn and Admiral Taverns, which has equipped him with a deep understanding of, and commitment to, our model.
Evolve the business
“This, together with his passion for people and community, made him the stand-out candidate for the role.
“I very much look forward to working with Mark as we continue to grow and evolve the business ensuring that, with the continued support of Epiris, we remain at the very forefront of operator managed businesses.”
Brooke added: “As a long-term admirer of what James and the Amber Taverns team have achieved over the years, it was an easy decision to make when the opportunity to lead this great business came along.
“Community pubs are in my DNA and I am really excited about what the future holds. With the support of the team, the board and investors, I look forward to building on Amber’s success to date, growing and evolving the business in the next phase of its development.”
