Welcome to our new Master!

We were delighted to welcome our new Master to the helm at the Court meeting and luncheon last Thursday. Peter Furness-Smith is Joint Managing Director of McMullen & Sons Brewery in Hertfordshire and we are much looking forward to working under his leadership in the year ahead.

Peter was born in Trinidad in 1953 and educated in England. After leaving school he started work in an ‘investment conglomerate’ in the City of London.  After the stock market crash he joined the army in 1975 on a short service commission in the Grenadier Guards. Working for an underwriting agent at Lloyds followed but in deference to the long term health of his liver Peter could think of nothing better to do than to join the Brewing and Pub industry! In 1979 he became a Management Trainee with Whitbread starting at the brewery in Tiverton before managing a Beefeater Steakhouse with his wife, Jane, and finally operating the northern region of a carvery restaurant brand. Peter left Whitbread in 1989 to develop the managed pub division for the Thames Valley brewer, Morland, and in 1998 joined the Hertford brewer, McMullen, becoming Managing Director in 2003.

It is customary for the Master to supply beer to Brewers’ Hall during his year in office. In a tradition dating back many years, the Brewers’ Company drink their loyal toasts in beer and this year’s toasting ale will be McMullen Stronghart, which was awarded CAMRA’s first “Best Festive Ale” award.

Peter was joined in the celebrations on Thursday by his Wardens (pictured above): Paul Wells, Chairman of Charles Wells (second left), Stephen Spencer-Jones, Trading Director of Heineken UK (left) and Simon Theakson, Executive Director of T&R Theakston (right). He succeeds Miles Jenner, Head Brewer and Joint Managing Director of Harveys Brewery in East Sussex. In his speech, the new Master thanked Miles for his dedication and hard work over the last year.