Oakman Inns founder Peter Borg-Neal named chairman of Hydes

Peter Borg-Neal, founder of Oakman Inns, has been appointed chairman of Hydes.

The 65-year-old hospitality veteran takes over the Salford-based independent brewer and pub retailer from Richard Lancaster, who is stepping down from the business after having overseen its recovery post-pandemic and achieving record turnover.

Borg-Neal brings more than 40 years’ experience to the role, having grown Oakman Inns from a single site – the Akeman in Tring, Hertfordshire – to a £60m+ premium pub group spanning 32 venues.

He has also held senior roles at Whitbread and Allied Domecq Retailing, and is currently the principal advisor at Ascott Advisory.

Borg-Neal said: “I have always been a traditionalist at heart, and I firmly believe that the relationship between a brewery and its pubs is one of the defining characteristics of our industry. Hydes has been family-owned for more than 160 years and represents a vital part of that heritage. I am immensely proud to become chairman, and I see it as a key responsibility to help ensure Hydes remains a strong, proudly independent family business for generations to come.”

Adam Mayers, managing director of Hydes Brewery, added: “On behalf of the entire board and the family shareholders, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Richard Lancaster for his immense contribution to Hydes over the years. His steady leadership and governance rigour provided crucial stability during a period of unprecedented industry disruption, leaving the company on an exceptionally firm financial footing.

“Peter is a very well-respected figure in the UK hospitality sector and brings an extraordinary wealth of operational and strategic expertise. His deep understanding of values-driven, independent businesses makes him the perfect fit for Hydes as we leverage our strong capital position to invest wisely, support our people, and deliver the high standards our customers expect."

Hydes was established in 1863 and today operates a 44-strong managed and tenanted pub estate across the North West of England and North Wales, alongside a brewing facility in MediaCity, Manchester.

Borg-Neal, who founded Oakman Inns in 2007, received the Pub and Bar Award at the 2018 Cateys.