CEO Opportunity

Over the past 150 years, Adnams has continuously evolved to become a much loved, innovative and highly progressive, multi-award-winning business. A premium quality brewer, distiller, hotelier, and wine merchant, products are sold through on and off-trade channels within the UK and exported to more than 20 countries globally.

Adnams has a two-tier share structure. It is listed on the Aquis Exchange with A shares being traded in a regular auction. This enables it to retain the values of an independent, family-owned business, supported by a passionate and loyal public shareholder base. With an unwavering commitment to social and environmental sustainability, they have long been considered a leader in sustainable business practices and are proud to have been awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise and Sustainable Development, three times.

During the last five years Adnams has completed a major infrastructure investment programme, resulting in increased brewing and distilling capacity, a complete refurbishment of the flagship Swan Hotel in Southwold and a new ERP system. Having benefitted from this capital investment,  it’s now the right time for Adnams to expand its market presence and deliver greater returns for all its stakeholders. With the heartland of the business in East Anglia and the Home Counties, there is an opportunity to strengthen the geographic footprint and increase its brand presence in London, and further afield.

Andy Wood has been at the helm of Adnams as CEO for the past two decades. He leaves a significant legacy as he moves towards his planned retirement during 2024, and the Board are seeking to appoint a new CEO to lead the next chapter of Adnams growth.

Adnams is a very special organisation and requires a leader who is driven to protect the magic ingredients (it’s brand, values, products, quality, exceptional service, and reputation), whilst evolving the recipe for sustainable growth. They are seeking a people focussed CEO, with energy, ambition, and entrepreneurial spirit. A commercial operator with the gravitas and leadership qualities to instil a culture of ambition, pace, high performance, and productivity whilst building on the Adnams award winning culture and reputation as a responsible and ethical employer.

The Role and Responsibilities:

• Refine and evolve the strategy. Communicate the strategic vision and lead the organisational design and cultural evolution necessary to deliver that vision.
• Deliver a sales and marketing strategy that optimises production capacity by balancing scale, margin and efficiency across wholesale, retail and direct-to-consumer sales channels.
• Cultivate a high performing leadership team and ensure succession is embedded across the organisation. Invest in people to drive performance.
• Actively lead the commercial development of the Adnams brand- ensuring there is greater product and brand presence in chosen markets.
• Establish relationships and profile with the major supermarket/ retail and hospitality leaders.  
• Drive a strong commercial focus that aligns to the purpose and values of Adnams whilst increasing sales, margins and profitability.
• Ensure the Adnams brand is industry leading and drive sales to match its reputation Cultivate a company-wide culture of accountability, engagement, and high performance.
• Maintain and build awareness of the competitive market landscape, to anticipate and interpret market changes.
• Ensure financial sustainability for Adnams- closely working with the CFO to ensure the business delivers against budget and profit forecasts.
• Ensure appropriate capital allocation, where the company is best equipped to win and where it will generate the strongest returns.
• Use data to inform decisions and measure the right things.
• Drive the ESG agenda.
• Proactive management of business risk and compliance issues which have the potential for reputational damage or other adverse impacts.
• Develop strong relationship with the Board, seeking their counsel to inform decisions.
• Build effective relationship with shareholders, Adnams' employees, wider business community and external advisors.

Candidate Profile:

The successful individual is likely to have previously driven profitable growth from a multi-site customer facing sales and marketing organisation. Specific skills and background sought include:  

• An experienced CEO having worked within a consumer facing, organisation.
• A record of outperformance including generating strong profitable growth and value creation.
• Experience within a multi-site, decentralised, complex, and diversified business.
• Inspirational leader who inspires confidence from colleagues, partners, suppliers, and shareholders.
• Vision and a laser-like focus on the business to articulate and deliver a sustainable growth plan.
• A hands-on, commercially, and financially aware leader with the confidence, experience, and diplomacy to take an active position in ensuring Adnams’ future success. The successful individual is likely to be a thoughtful, strategic thinker whilst being comfortable to be involved in the delivery.  
• A people focussed, collaborative leader – able to build trusted relationships and get the best out of people.
• Proven ability to build high performing teams.
• Sensitive to the family business origins and able to foster the right balance between people, values, and sustainable growth.

Competencies and behaviours:

• Down-to-earth, authentic, demonstrating empathy and humility.
• A clear communicator. Articulate, tactful, and open in communication.
• Resilience - calm and measured when dealing with adversity.
• High intellect and high emotional intelligence.
• Passionate about Adnams brand and values with a belief and passion in its potential.
• Self-aware and capable of delivering and receiving constructive, candid feedback.
• Consistency in approach.

Remuneration:

• Competitive package including highly attractive performance related incentives.