Fri 27th Sep 2019 - Wells & Co chief executive Justin Phillimore to step down, Peter Wells to lead business Wells & Co chief executive Justin Phillimore to step down, Peter Wells to lead business: Bedford-based brewer and retailer Wells & Co has announced Justin Phillimore will step down as chief executive at the end of the year. Peter Wells will step into the new role of group managing director in January 2020, making him the fifth generation of the Wells family to lead the company. Chairman Paul Wells said: “Our company has transformed in recent years as our strategy has evolved. We have been very fortunate to have had Justin’s leadership during this time, an era of profound change in the brewing and pubs world. On behalf of the family and all our colleagues I would like to record our appreciation for his huge contribution to the success of the company and wish him well for the future. The role of chief executive will now disappear and I’m delighted the board has confirmed Peter Wells in his new role.” Phillimore added: “The plan for the change of Wells & Co from being a large brewer and tenanted pub company to a simpler, more agile craft brewer with an increasing focus on managed pubs is nearing completion. With the building of our new home and brewing business making excellent progress, the company direction clearly set and the recruitment for a managed retail director under way, I feel the time is right to hand the business on to Peter Wells at the start of 2020. I have had a wonderful 13 years at Wells & Co as finance director, managing director of the brewing and brand business and, lastly, as chief executive. I would like to thank all my wonderful colleagues and friends in the industry, past and present, for their friendship and support and wish the team and Peter every success for the future.” Peter Wells said: “This is a really exciting time for the business. It has been a real pleasure to work with Justin to establish our strategy. Our new brewery is on schedule to open in the summer. The growth in our managed businesses in France and the UK is on track, alongside our continued investment into our Pub Partner estate. I am delighted to be able to lead the business into the next chapter of our 140-year history.”