Tim Bridge to retire as Greene King chairman after 45 years with the business

Greene King chairman Tim Bridge is to retire from the board in May after 45 years with the pub firm.

Former bwin.party digital entertainment chairman Philip Yea will take on the role, having joined the board today as non-executive director.

Yea was chief executive of 3i Group from 2004 to 2009 and is a former finance director of Diageo. He is currently senior independent director at both Vodafone Group and Computacenter.

Bridge joined Greene King in 1970 and has been chairman since 2005, following over 10 years as chief executive.

He said: "I feel very fortunate to have spent my whole career working for a great company which has grown from being a regional brewer to one of the UK's leading pub hospitality companies. We have achieved this with an outstanding team of people and I feel confident that, through them, and with Philip Yea replacing me as chairman, the company will continue to prosper in the future."

Senior independent non-executive director Rob Rowley added his thanks to Bridge for his contribution to the business.

He said: "We would like to thank Tim Bridge for his excellent and extensive contribution to the group, spanning over 45 years. He has done an outstanding job as chairman and it has been a real pleasure working with him.

"His experience and advice, coupled with his deep commitment to the success of the business have been invaluable and the board and I wish him a happy and healthy retirement."

Rowley also welcomed Yea, who he said had a wealth of industry knowledge. "I am sure that his wide expertise, business experience and personal qualities will contribute greatly to the future and continued success of the group," he added.

Yea said it was an honour to take over from Tim Bridge.

"Greene King is admired for its brands and people, and I am looking forward to working closely with Rooney and the rest of the board in the next stage of its progress as a leading pub hospitality company," he said.