St Austell Brewery COO's Unlikely Journey from Village Pub to Boardroom

Andrew Turner, chief operating officer at St Austell Brewery, has had a long and winding road to his current position. Growing up in North Yorkshire, he spent Sundays as a child helping out at the local pub, where he would collect glasses and receive free Coca-Cola as payment.

After studying hotel and catering management at Sheffield Hallam University, Turner entered the trade on a more solid footing by running the George Hotel in Malton. However, it was not long before the pull of a bigger stage became too strong, and he left Yorkshire to join Scottish & Newcastle as a sales representative.

Turner spent 19 years with Heineken UK, working across various roles including sales, marketing, training, and management. He credits this experience for shaping his leadership principles, highlighting the importance of thinking long-term and caring about people.

In 2020, Turner joined St Austell Brewery as managing director of the brewery's beer and brands division. However, his first day was marred by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had just led to the first national lockdown in the UK. He quickly had to deal with furloughing staff, closing sites, and making decisions about brewery operations.

Despite the challenges, Turner has become passionate about the pub side of the business, admitting that he would have gotten into pubs earlier if given the chance. As COO, he now oversees not only brewing but also distribution, sales, and operations for the company's 120 business partners operating pubs in the south-west.

Turner believes that one of the biggest pressures in his job is people management, citing the responsibility to create opportunities for employees without making them feel they need to leave the region. He emphasizes the importance of surrounding himself with talented individuals and giving them the support they need to excel.