Pub company the Liberation Group appoints Jonathan Lawson as its new CEO

Pub company the Liberation Group has appointed Jonathan Lawson as its new CEO.

Lawson, who had previously held the same position at Vision Express, takes over from Mark Crowther who had held the position for 11 years.

Liberation Group consists of two breweries, three distribution businesses and 116 pubs in the Channel Islands and West Country. Earlier in his career its new CEO had held the position of managing director for Greene King's local pubs division.

Richard Grainger, executive chairman of the Liberation Group, said: "Mark Crowther has contributed significantly to the success of the business and I want to extend the thanks of the board and staff to him.

"Jonathan Lawson's wide-ranging executive experience across the leisure sector will enable him to drive the business onward and fulfil the board's expectations for the group. We very much look forward to welcoming him into the business."

Lawson added: "It's a great pleasure to be returning to the pub sector and I am hugely excited to join the Liberation Group. The team has built an excellent business and I am looking forward to meeting the people, our customers and to fully immersing myself in the company. This is a great organisation with clear opportunities ahead of it and I am delighted to be leading it through the next period of its growth."

The Liberation Group was acquired by Caledonia Investments in 2016.

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