Hopson, who has joined from Topps Tiles, has succeeded Hayleigh Lupino, who is leaving the company to pursue a new opportunity outside of the group.
The new CFO served on the executive team and board at Topps Tiles. He brings more than a decade of senior leadership experience across the leisure and retail sectors including as director of central finance for western Europe at Molson Coors Beverage Company and five years of finance director roles at Travis Perkins.
Previously, he was at Mitchells & Butlers for 11 years where he was responsible for investor relations among other functions.
Hopson is a chartered management accountant and holds an MBA from Warwick Business School.
Wealth of experience
He is set to join the group and board on 8 September. Lupino will remain with the company until the end of its financial year on 27 September in a bid to ensure an orderly transition.
Marston’s CEO Justin Platt said: “On behalf of the whole Marston’s team, I’m delighted to welcome Stephen to the business.
“He has a wealth of experience, which will benefit the group as we drive forward with our strategy as a leading pure-play hospitality business, delivering increasing returns for our shareholders.
“Once again, I’d like to express my sincere thanks to Hayleigh for her many years of service to Marston’s and wish her every success in her new role.”
Clear vision
On his appointment, Hopson said: “With its well-defined strategy and clear vision for the future, I am excited to be joining Marston’s in this period of significant momentum for the business.
“I look forward to working with Justin, the board and the wider team to capitalise on the opportunities ahead, as together we extend Marston’s track record of sustainable growth and deliver value to all our stakeholders.”
At the beginning of the year, the pub company reported a ‘solid’ quarter with total sales at its managed and partnership pubs for the 16 weeks to 18 January 2025 up 3%, driven by growth in food and drink sales.
It also reported like-for-like sales during the same period up 2%, which it said reflected strng trading over the 2024 festive period, offset by the poor weather conditions in November and January.
April saw Marston’s unveil its sports concept – Grandstand. This was one of the new pub formats announced by the group in October last year as part of its aim to be a “pure play hospitality business”.
