Joining the pubco’s leadership team, Matt Dyson has been promoted to operations director north after having held several key operational positions within the business, including regional operations director for Scotland and the South West, as well as head of business support.
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Meanwhile, Caren Geering has taken on responsibility for Star’s Just Add Talent (JAT) managed operator estate alongside her existing position as central operations director.
Expanded roles
Her role will involve overseeing operational support, including customer care, supplier management, recruitment, training and back-of-house pub support teams.
Elsewhere, former head of retail Cathy Olver has become regional operations director for Scotland, overseeing Star Pubs’ 256 sites across Scotland and Cumbria.
In her previous role, Olver oversaw the company’s marketing and digital functions, as well as food and drink, and was Star Pubs’ diversity, equity and inclusion lead.
The changes follow Mick Howard’s move to become on-trade sales director at Heineken UK earlier this year.
Star Pubs managing director Lawson Mountstevens said the appointments would help the business deliver its long-term strategy.
“We have a wealth of senior management experience in the business that we’re able to draw on to deliver our strategic long-term plan,” he said.
“Matt’s regional operations background and breadth of knowledge across the business will be invaluable in his new role.”
Unique character
Mountstevens continued: “Bringing JAT under Caren’s remit makes absolute sense as learnings and support trialled in our managed operator pubs are shared with the wider estate.
“And as a Scottish resident of over 15 years, Cathy understands the unique character of the Scottish pub market. Her combined retail and digital experience will be a real asset to the region.”
This comes as Star Pubs continues to invest in its estate and expand the JAT model.
In October, Mountstevens said the business planned to open 30 to 35 JAT pubs a year, while 2026 was on track to be its strongest year for investment since the Covid pandemic.
Star has also continued to refurbish closed pubs, including the Engine House in Exeter, which reopened in September following a £542,000 investment.
