Greene King has announced that Clair Preston-Beer will become the group’s new CEO, succeeding the outgoing Nick Mackenzie who leaves next year.
Preston-Beer, who is currently chief digital and commercial officer, will become Greene King’s first female CEO in its 227-year history.
She will take over from Mackenzie who has led Greene King for nearly eight years and has decided now is the right time to step down having launched the business’s bold 2030 strategy including new plans for the pub estate and brewery.
According to the business, Mackenzie has overseen a transformational period for Greene King including taking the business private in the acquisition by CK Assets in 2019, “embedding a new strategy alongside a culture change programme”, as well as delivering significant investment to position the business as a modern integrated pub company and brewer set up for long-term future success.
Clair Preston-Beer joined Greene King in 2020 as managing director of Greene King pubs before being appointed to chief operating officer in 2024 and chief digital and commercial Officer in 2026.
Over this time, she has overseen all commercial, digital and technology functions for the group. During the past six years, Clair has been instrumental in shaping the company’s new strategy and implementing operational change across the business including its digital transformation and development of Greene King’s loyalty programme.
Preston-Beer said: “I’m honoured to be appointed as CEO of Greene King. I love our pubs, I love our people and I am passionate about ensuring they remain the ultimate social host for generations to come.
“I am inspired by the energy of our 38,000 team members who drive this 227-year-old business forward. We have an ambitious strategy in place that is focused on growing share in a challenging environment.
“We will continue to strengthen our core brands and ensure our digital services become central to the everyday experience of our valued customers. We have prioritised investment in data and AI to ensure that every pub is easier for our teams to run, every customer experience more personal and every decision better informed.
“There is so much to be excited about for the future of this historic pub company and brewer.
“I would like to thank Nick for the opportunity to join Greene King and for his support over the last six years, he has been an exceptional leader and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with and learning from him.”
