Eco-friendly, award-winning Bedlam Brewery, based at the foot of the South Downs in Sussex, has announced the appointment, with immediate effect, of Kim Francis as chairman of the board of directors. He replaces Nick Cooper, who is standing down due to other work commitments.
Kim (pictured) joined the board on 1st November 2019 after a career spanning 35 years in the industry, initially with Courage, thereafter Scottish & Newcastle and Heineken, and most recently seven years as managing director operations for the Ei Group (prior to the sale to Stonegate), the largest portfolio manager of pubs in the UK.
Nick Cooper, who will remain on the board as a non-executive director, said: “We’re obviously delighted Kim has agreed to take on this role with Bedlam, given his extensive experience in the industry.
“We established Bedlam back in 2011 as a group of friends learning to brew in a barn, and over the last nine years the company has evolved into a professionally run and well respected business.
“The fact that Bedlam is now able to attract the likes of Kim to work alongside Bob Emms, our CEO, Danny Hoskins, our sales director, and Dominic Worrall, one of my fellow directors — all highly regarded in their areas of the industry — is more than we ever dared hope for.”
Kim Francis said: “After first encountering Bedlam beer in one of my favourite pubs, the award-winning Bull in Ditchling, and subsequently investing in their first crowdfunding in 2016, I am thrilled that my fellow directors have asked me to take on this role as chairman as Bedlam continues to grow.
“I have been in the industry for many years and have been impressed with the potential of the business and, of course, how good the beers are. I am particularly enjoying the diversity of input around the board table at Bedlam combining significant industry experience with a high regard for good corporate governance, as well as an entrepreneurial ‘can-do’ attitude, all of which bode well for the future.
“On behalf of the board I would like to thank Nick for the magnificent job he has done as chairman. I am delighted that Nick will remain as a director as he will continue to play a significant role in helping shape the future of Bedlam, alongside his new day job, in which we all wish him well.”
