Karen Hester is to join the Adnams Main Board as an executive director. Karen has responsibility for the operations of the Adnams brewery, distillery, hotels, pubs and shops and her appointment to the board will take effect from the Adnams AGM in April 2015.
Karen joined Adnams in 1988 as a part-time cleaner and with a background in Army logistics and transport, and her expertise in operational management was soon spotted. Having progressed in logistics, procurement and transport, Karen became Operations Director in 2007 and is now responsible for over 400 employees. In 2008 Karen won the title of East of England Business Woman of the Year and in 2013 won the CBI First Women Business of the Year title in recognition of Adnams’ success in supporting women employees to reach their full potential.
Commenting on the announcement, Chairman of the board Jonathan Adnams said: “Karen has a superb proven track-record for her management of all areas of our business. She is well-respected throughout the organisation and we look forward to her joining the main board.”
CEO Andy Wood added, “I am absolutely delighted for Karen, she has the tenacity and talent that has been allowed to flourish here at Adnams and is a terrific role model for others. Following the appointments of Bridget McIntyre and Nicky Dulieu, Karen will be the third woman to join our Main Board and will be our first female executive director.”
Karen Hester comments, “Adnams is a fantastic company which firmly believes in nurturing and developing its own people. I joined Adnams some 26 years ago and have been positively encouraged and supported throughout my career. I feel honoured and extremely proud to be the first female executive director to join the board and am looking forward to continuing to support others to develop their own careers.”
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