Laine’s Gavin George stepping down as CEO

George, who founded Laine in 1997 with Peter Bennett, remains and shareholder of Punch and will continue to work with Laine management on strategic issues and direction.

He will also advise the wider Punch group on the development of propositions that reflect the evolving needs and desires of pubgoers, the business stated.

Russell Danks, who joined as managing director of Laine’s pub business last year​, will lead the management from late September.

Progressive business

He will be supported by Martin Entwistle, who heads up Laine’s brewing business and is responsible for ensuring the quality and reach of Laine’s beer products in Laine, Punch, and the on and off-trade venues throughout the UK.

George said: “I have had the most amazing 27 years, leading a wonderfully progressive business with incredible pubs, teams and customers.

“I’m grateful to everyone who has played a part in Laine’s success and for supporting me through the good times and the challenging.

“I’d particularly like to thank all the managers and staff of the myriad pubs, clubs, bars and breweries we have operated over the years, for their creativity, energy and resilience, more recently in the face of significant challenges such as a pandemic, wars and economic turmoil."

Capable management team

George was positive about the future of the business and honoured the seaside city Laine started in.

He added: “I’d also like to pay tribute to the people of Brighton & Hove – the city of Laine’s birth – whose constancy from day one and unique outlook on the world have been the inspiration and facilitator for much of what Laine has achieved.

“I leave the leadership of the business in the hands of a very capable management team but am pleased to be continuing to provide support and guidance to both them and the wider Punch group while also being able to focus on other opportunities in an exciting sector that never ceases to amaze me with its creativity, energy and resilience.”

Punch Pubs & Co CEO Clive Chesser congratulated and thanked George for the almost three decades he has spent at the business.

He said: "Gavin’s achievements in building the Laine pub and beer business over the past 27 years are to be admired, and I would like to congratulate him and thank him for everything that he has done so far for Laine, Punch, and in fact the wider industry. Gavin has been a trailblazer in creating experiential pub offers, being way ahead of the curve in many respects.

“I am delighted that the business will continue to benefit from his knowledge, wisdom and creative input for many years to come in his non-executive capacity.”