Wimbledon Brewery appoints first ever managing director
Bateman takes on the position having previously been chief financial and operating officer of stationery brand Paperchase.
In 17 years with Paperchase, Bateman oversaw a growth in turnover from £15m to £150m annually, and helped lead the organisation through private equity ownership and its subsequent sale to Borders Group Inc in 2004, and a 2010 management buyout, backed by Primary Capital, which remains the majority equity partner today.
Bateman is also making a personal financial investment in the Wimbledon Group which will assist in supporting its growth and helping to achieve its ambitions.
'Retailing insight and business acumen'
Speaking about his appointment, Bateman said: “I’m very excited to be joining the Wimbledon Group at this time. Mark [Gordon] and his team have done a fantastic job in establishing the brand both locally and nationally and providing a platform for growth.
“I believe the Wimbledon Brewery brand – with its current supply arrangements with numerous pub companies and large brewers, retailers such as M&S and Waitrose, and traction with a number of high-end establishments, is set up to exploit both the domestic and international market.”
Wimbledon Brewery founder Mark Gordon added: “David was absolutely instrumental in the growth and success of Paperchase. He was – and will be for our brand - a tremendous business partner and his retailing insight and business acumen took Paperchase from being a small UK retailer to one with international pedigree and significant growth potential.
“I believe that his skills and experience can add huge value to the Wimbledon Group going forward.”
XXXK barley wine
The brewery has also recently announced the release of its new XXXK Vintage Ale, inspired by a recipe from the original Wimbledon Brewery which burnt down in 1889.
The beer’s name refers to the tradition of denoting the strength of a beer using Xs, whilst the K signifies that the beer can be kept and aged for many years.
Just 600 bottles of the 10% ABV barley wine-style beer have been released, while the remainder of the brew is currently being aged in casks for a special release later in 2018.
