Paul Davies appointed chief executive of Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company following merger

The £780m merger of brewer and pub company Marston's with beer brand Carlsberg UK has completed, creating Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company, with Paul Davies (pictured) appointed as chief executive.

After eight years with Carlsberg, UK managing director Tomasz Blawat has decided to return to his native Poland to take up business opportunities outside of Carlsberg. He will continue to support the integration process until the end of the year.

Davies joins the group from Carlsberg Poland, where he has been managing director since last year. He will lead a new management team combining leaders from across Carlsberg UK and Marston’s Beer Company (MBC), with Richard Westwood, previously managing director of MBC, taking the role of chief operating officer, integration.

As previously announced, Ralph Findlay, currently chief executive of Marston’s, has been appointed non-executive chairman of the merged business.

Davies said: “Today is the start of our journey towards Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company becoming the UK’s best beer platform; and while together with the wider beer and pub industry we will need to navigate a deeply challenging time ahead, as a result of the impact of coronavirus, we will aim to help our customers to grow by offering an unrivalled portfolio of premium beer brands, excellent customer service and route to market scale.”

Findlay added: “Today marks the beginning of a new journey as Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company is created from our great brands, joint teams, and our valued heritage. Our vision comes from a shared passion for beer, and our belief that combining our unrivalled brand portfolios with outstanding service will create a stronger business.”