Mon 30th Nov 2015 - Greene King appoints John Forrest as chief operating officer Greene King appoints John Forrest as chief operating officer: Greene King has appointed John Forrest as chief operating officer for Greene King Retail, reporting to chief executive Rooney Anand. Forrest, who was most recently at Whitbread working as chief operating officer for its Premier Inn division, joins in January with operational and profit responsibility for the combined Greene King and Spirit managed estate. Richard Lewis, currently managing director for Greene King Retail, will move to be Spirit integration director, replacing Jonathan Webster who will be retiring as planned in the new year. Webster has had a long and distinguished career in the industry, joining Greene King in 2006 following the acquisition of Hardys and Hansons, where he was chief executive. Lewis will continue to report to Anand. Greene King partners Redwell Brewery owner to launch gin distillery at Norfolk pub: Greene King has partnered Redwell Brewery owner Patrick Fisher to launch a gin distillery at the Ten Bells pub in Norwich. The distillery and bottling rooms are both visible from within the recently refurbished pub, which is on St Benedict’s Street. The new distillery will produce two 43% ABV standard London dry gins, which will be available to buy in 70cl bottles, as well as being served at the bar. Following on from the success of Redwell Brewery’s recent relaunch of the Bullards brand, one of the gins will be the “Bullards Norwich Gin” and the other “Firewater Gin”. Fisher spent time researching the technique of gin distilling at gin producers, Thames Distillers in London. He said: “It was such a valuable experience getting to grips with the intricacies of making gin at Thames Distillers, and has helped shape how our distillery works. Everyone that knows me knows that as well as my passion for real ale, I also have a fondness for a G&T, so bringing to life Norfolk’s first distillery was a personal mission as much as anything.” Clive Chesser, business unit director for Greene King Pub Partners, owner of the Ten Bells, said: “Like Patrick, stepping out of the world of brewing and running pubs into distilling gin was a first for us, so we had to make sure we got it right. Together we have harnessed the right expertise to make sure that what is thought to be Norfolk’s first gin distillery produces a quality product that will please gin lovers. Introducing the distillery at the Ten Bells is one of our biggest innovations to date, and we are pleased to be able to support Patrick in bringing his vision to life.”