Alistair Darby steps down as Brains CEO following Marston's takeover

Alistair Darby (pictured) has stepped down as chief executive of SA Brain following the completion of a deal that sees Marston’s take over the running of its pubs.

Darby joined Welsh brewer Brains in 2018 after holding senior roles at Camerons Brewery and Mitchells & Butlers. He had previously worked at Marston’s for a decade until 2012, both as managing director and chief operating officer.

Darby said: “I stepped down as chief executive on completion of the deal with Marston’s on Friday [5 February]. Having safeguarded 1,300 jobs, the future of the Brains pubs and protected the company’s independence for its family shareholders, my work is done.

“I am going to stay on as a [non-executive director] to support the new CEO, Jon Bridge. I am now looking forward to getting stuck into my next executive opportunity.”

The deal was struck after ongoing coronavirus restrictions placed Brains under significant financial pressure. It sees Wolverhampton-based Marston’s take over the running of all 156 Brains pubs, which are primarily in Wales.

But there is uncertainty over the future of Brains’ flagship Dragon Brewery in Cardiff, meaning the Welsh brewer could be forced to move production of its beers to England for the first time in its 140-year history.

Last week Marston’s rejected an unsolicited takeover bid from US-based private equity firm Platinum Equity, which it said ‘significantly undervalued’ the business.