There are big changes at the top at Castle Rock as our founder and principal shareholder, Chris Holmes, retires. Colin Wilde, the firm’s current commercial director, takes the post of managing director, and director, Geoff Newton, becomes non executive chairman. Chris retains a place on the board alongside the existing operations director Steve Bramley who will take an extended role.

Chris says he is sad to relinquish his two directly operational positions; but insists he will retain a close interest in the day by day running and longer term strategies of the business he set up as Tynemill Limited in Newark, 35 years ago. “I’m at the age when it’s best to let the younger bloods have the control they clearly deserve. In his 17 years with the firm Colin has played a major part in our growth from a minor player to an award winning and nationally recognised brewer. Much of our recent success in broadening our customer base, in winning national beer awards, and in the opening of our new brewery are down to him and his colleagues. I wish him well and have every confidence that Castle Rock Brewery has a bright and interesting future.”

In a separate move, Vicki Saxby has been appointed to the new post of administration and finance director. Previously she had been administration and finance manager for Castle Rock Brewery and its 20 pubs across the midlands and Yorkshire for six years. She joined the company in 1999 while studying at the University of Nottingham.

Castle Rock’s managing director, Colin Wilde, and the newly appointed administration and finance director, Vicki Saxby at the Vat and Fiddle brewery tap, Nottingham.

Colin Wilde says he plans to continue the progress the brewery has made in his ten years as commercial director. “Castle Rock is a great business with great people, knowledgeable customers, and an honourable and ethical approach to business. I’m proud to have been part of our success to date and I am confident we’ll retain the freshness of ideas and energy to thrive in these turbulent economic times.”