Adnams promotes woman who began as cleaner to the board: Suffolk-based brewer and distiller Adnams has promoted Karen Hester to its main board as an executive director. Her appointment will take effect from the Adnams AGM in April 2015. She has responsibility for the operations of the Adnams brewery, distillery, hotels, pubs and shops. Hester joined Adnams in 1988 as a part-time cleaner and with a background in Army logistics and transport, her expertise in operational management was soon spotted. Having progressed in logistics, procurement and transport, Hester became operations director in 2007 and is now responsible for over 400 employees. In 2008 Karen won the title of East of England Business Woman of the Year and in 2013 won the CBI First Women Business of the Year title in recognition of Adnams’ success in supporting women employees to reach their full potential. Chairman of the board Jonathan Adnams said: “Karen has a superb proven track-record for her management of all areas of our business. She is well-respected throughout the organisation and we look forward to her joining the main board.” Chief executive Andy Wood added: “I am absolutely delighted for Karen, she has the tenacity and talent that has been allowed to flourish here at Adnams and is a terrific role model for others. Following the appointments of Bridget McIntyre and Nicky Dulieu, Karen will be the third woman to join our Main Board and will be our first female executive director.” Karen Hester said: “Adnams is a fantastic company which firmly believes in nurturing and developing its own people. I joined Adnams some 26 years ago and have been positively encouraged and supported throughout my career. I feel honoured and extremely proud to be the first female executive director to join the board and am looking forward to continuing to support others to develop their own careers.”

PizzaExpress adds Bollinger champagne as it launches its autumn menu: PizzaExpress, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year, has added Bollinger champagne to its drinks line-up as it launches its autumn menu. The menu includes three new pizzas and a calzone as well as two low-calorie Leggera dishes, new starters, four new desserts, and the return of cheesy dough balls. The new starters include Melanzanine, a starter-size version of the classic Italian Melanzane, layers of marinated aubergine, passata, mozzarella, basil and Gran Moravia cheese, served in a miniature earthenware pot, for £5.45. The new Leggera Gambaretti Piccante, king prawns in a passata sauce, is less than 210 calories, and £5.65. The pizzas include a carbonara version, with bechamel sauce, pancetta and Gran Moravia cheese, for £13.15, and Mare Rossa, with prawns, peppered salmon and broccoli on a bechamel and passata base, for £13.70. Among the new desserts, Leggera chocolate cheesecake, a chocolate and mascarpone torte, is £5.75 for less than 255 calories. As well as Bollinger, PizzaExpress has also added Aspall Blush Cyder to its drinks.