The chairman of brewer Shepherd Neame has confirmed he is to stand down.

Miles Templeman has been chair for 15 years and a director for 18.

But this week he confirmed he will step down as chairman at next year's AGM - due to take place in October 2020.

Mr Templeman explained: "This is a unique independent family business and I have enjoyed every moment of my time with the company. I am proud of the transformation it has gone through to become the modern, forward-looking, organisation it is today."

He will be replaced by Richard Oldfield, who has been a non-executive director since 2016.

Mr Oldfield is the founder and chairman of Oldfield Partners LLP, an investment management firm with a global client base, a director of Witan Investment Trust and former chairman of Keystone Investment Trust.

He was previously chief executive of Alta Advisers, the investment office of the Rausing family, and before this a director of Mercury Asset Management.

The Faversham-based firm confirmed Mr Oldfield will be replaced as a non-exec by Kevin Georgel. He will assume his position from July 2020.

He has spent over 20 years working in the UK brewing and pub sector.

Appointed CEO of Admiral Taverns in 2014, he had joined the firm in 2010 as managing director with responsibility for the operations and commercial aspects of the business.

He was previously operations director at Punch Taverns with responsibility for the leased and tenanted estate. Prior to this he held various senior sales and marketing positions within Molson Coors.

Mr Greogel is a non-executive director of St Austell Brewery and in January 2020 becomes its chief executive.

He is also deputy chairman of the British Beer and Pub Association.

Mr Templeman added: "The strength of the company’s position is testament to the hard work of the executive team,

my colleagues on the board and the staff across each of our divisions.

"I look forward to continuing to work with them over the next 12 months before handing the reins over to Richard who I know will do an excellent job in taking the business on the next phase of its development and I look forward to welcoming Kevin to the board next year.”

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