Welcome to the Master Brewer 2025-26 - Fergus McMullen

On Thursday 10 July the Court elected Fergus McMullen, Non-Executive Director at McMullens & Sons, as Master of the Brewers’ Company for 2025-26. Also elected at the meeting were the Upper Warden: Stephen Gould, Deputy Chairman of Everards Brewery, the Middle Warden: Torquil Sligo-Young, Non-Executive Director of Young’s, and the Renter Warden: Victoria Segebarth, Managing Director (EMEAA) at Asahi.

Fergus McMullen was educated at Harrow School and The Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester. After working in London for three years in the property market he joined his family business McMullen & Sons Ltd in 1984.  The brewery was founded by Peter McMullen in 1827 and Fergus is from the 6th generation to work in the company. Fergus had a variety of roles with the brewery and pubs before recently stepping back after 40 years to become a Non-Executive Director.

Outside of work, Fergus was chairman of the Hertfordshire Community Liaison Group and sat on the Hertfordshire Criminal Justice Board for 10 years. He was also chair of the Out of Court Scrutiny panel for Hertfordshire. He has been chairman of various charities dealing with the homeless, hospice care, addiction, and domestic abuse.

Fergus was High Sheriff of Hertfordshire and President of the Hertfordshire County Show in 2013/14 and is also a Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire. Fergus is married to Kate and has 5 children and 8 grandchildren.

The new Master and Wardens were welcomed heartily by the Court and by members of the Livery at the Luncheon after the meeting. The opportunity was also taken to thank Katherine Smart for her service as Master over the last year.