Black Sheep Brewery plc (The)

After gaining a BA(Hons) in Economics at Manchester University, Andy went onto an  executive career at Director level with Bass, Coca-Cola and Punch Taverns where he gained experience in strategic planning, multi-site retail management, marketing, national accounts, field sales, contact centre management, e-business and  government affairs.

Having informally advised small businesses for a number of years, Andy joined the Board of Titanic Brewery as a Non Exec Director in 2014 and in 2016 completed the Financial Times Diploma in Non-Executive Directorship.

He joined the Board of Black Sheep Brewery in 2016 and is also involved in Pub Aid, a voluntary organization which highlights the fund-raising efforts of UK pubs. 

His NED roles run alongside his own consultancy business which amongst other things advises Punch on Government Affairs at both Westminster and Holyrood. 

Andy is 51, lives in Staffordshire and is married with two teenage children. He is a season ticket holder at Stoke City Football Club and plays local club Cricket. 

Rob gained an Agricultural Degree from Harper Adams after leaving Sedbergh School, before moving on to gain a Post Graduate diploma in Brewing & Distilling at Heriot Watt in Edinburgh.

In between times and after this he spent ten years building industry experience across a number of businesses including The Beer Seller, Shepherd Neame and subsequently worked at Carlsberg as a brewer in Leeds. He returned to the Black Sheep fold in 2006 to head up Transport, Distribution and Tech Services.

After 2 yrs as Joint Managing Director with his father Paul, he took on the reigns of MD in 2013. He has also been involved in Black Sheep since it’s inception and worked across all areas of the business from delivering beer, to brewing to now MD.

He is married to Lara and has three boys.

After leaving Sedbergh School in Cumbria, Jo gained a BSc French & Business Studies degree from Sheffield University, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Birkbeck, University of London.

Also involved with Black Sheep since its inception working across the business in production and brewing roles, and delivery and sales. Following graduation he worked in London for 6 years with Charles Wells Brewery in a senior sales role on National Accounts, selling Corona, Kirin and Bombardier.

Jo returned to Black Sheep in 2008 to head up Take Home Sales before subsequently taking on the overall Sales & Marketing responsibility.

He is married to Liz and has two young boys and a daughter.

Paul gained a B.Sc. in Information and Management Accounting at Essex University and then went on to qualify as a Chartered Management Accountant.

He joined City Link, the distribution division of Rentokil plc, where he gained experience in operational management and finance, becoming Regional Managing Director.

Paul has invested in several different business sectors, ranging from manufacturing to service sector companies and has completed many acquisitions and disposals. He has also undertaken work as a turnaround consultant.

His investment company took a significant stake in Ilkley Brewery in 2011 and as Chairman, Paul developed a strategic plan to expand and promote the company, leading it to become one of the best known beer brands in the north of England.

Having grown turnover over 400% in 4 years, he sold the business in 2015, returning 4X the original investment.

Paul lives in Ilkley, West Yorkshire and is married with two young children.

Charlene gained a first class honours degree in Business, Economics and Japanese and then joined a leading Management Consultancy firm in London, working within a variety of industries focussing mainly on strategy planning, scenario management and business operations.

Charlene is an accomplished management consultant and founder of Lyons Consultancy, a company that works nationally across many business sectors to deliver various solutions from change management and business restructuring to business strategy and marketing engagement. 

Charlene specifically focusses on strategy building, planning and direction, capability building and diversification having facilitated work on some high-profile projects, from SME’s to large corporates. Constantly exposed to exceptional people, all experiences and skills can be shared with new clients to maximise their efficiency and productivity.

As an Associate with various large organisations, Charlene works with various partners nationally to deliver work predominantly centred around strategic planning and implementation.

Her work within the public sector to date has largely entailed business planning, governance restructure, support and evaluation and working with many boards of trustees from charities to hospitals to ensure the needs of the organisation are fulfilled.

Charlene volunteers for several charities and serves as a Governor of a leading school.

Charlene is married to Ben and together they have three children.  As a family, they enjoy socialising, holidays, sport, nice food and most importantly having fun.

Founder and Black Sheep. Started in the brewing industry in 1964, trained at Mansfield Brewery in the 60’s as a brewer.

Became MD of T&R Theakston aged 23 in 1968 and grew the business through the 70s from a small country brewery into a nationally recognised northern brewer. One of the brewing industries longest serving stalwarts and mavericks.

Started Black Sheep in 1992 after the well documented various takeover battles with T&R Theakston in the 80s.

Paul is a non exec director of Thistle Pub Co in Scotland.