The sixth generation of the family to helm the Manchester-based brewery and pubco, JW Lees, Lees-Jones has overseen record sales in the business in the last year and continues to innovate, bringing back iconic beer brand Boddington’s to cask once again.
While the company is nearing celebrating its 200th anniversary, Lees-Jones has clocked up 22 years as managing-director of the family firm, having cut his teeth in the advertising sector down in London, before returning to Manchester and joining the business.
Campaigning role
As a leader of a traditional family-owned business, he’s not afraid to take risks, and the recent launch of Founders Hall in central Manchester, what he describes as a “modern beer hall”, has proven to be a gamble that has paid off.
Most recently, Lees-Jones has found himself in the role of campaigner, pushing back on the Governments ceaseless taxation attacks on the industry, particularly when it comes to issues around business rates, National Insurance contributions and the changes to inheritance tax laws.
Industry beacon
His eloquent and clear-sighted analysis of the impact of ill-thought out Government legislation has been a beacon for an industry that has found itself under the cosh over the short period Labour of inhabited the seats of power. Those years spent in advertising have given him the skills to effectively shine a spotlight on the injustice and challenges those policies have created.
And now with his son Louis being the seventh generation of the family to join the company, Lees-Jones now has even more reason to continue to fight for an improved economic outlook for the pub and brewing sectors.
