New ops manager at Llandeilo-based brewery

Wales’s leading specialist brewer, the Evan-Evans Group, has appointed Michelle Francis as operations manager for its growing retail pub estate.

Michelle, 34, steps into the newly-created role following four years in charge of the Evan-Evans flagship pub, The Cricketers in Cathedral Road, Cardiff.

“Michelle has driven one of the great success stories of the Welsh licensed trade,” said Evan-Evans chief executive Simon Buckley.

“The Cricketers is widely recognised as the best eating pub in Cardiff and has consistently led from the front. Her appointment was an obvious one.

“She is now going to work with me driving our new pub acquisitions and apprenticeship programme, building a team of young managers to take the business on to the next stage of development.

“We are determined to grow our own management team from our ranks of talented Welsh men and women – and Michelle will lead the search.”

Evan-Evans has five pubs throughout Wales and hopes to add a further five over the next six months.

Mr Buckley added: We have a clear plan for the development of the estate here in Wales and North Wiltshire.

“This will secure the future of our brands and brewing and will continue the family tradition of inn-keeping that stretches back almost 250 years.”

Michelle said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for me and I am looking forward to helping Simon achieve his dream of creating the very best pub estate in Wales.

“We have a great team of people working for us. Now, with the apprenticeship scheme underway, we are going to build the next generation of managers for our business. We will find the next great Welsh chef and inn-keeper.

“The Evan-Evans brand is now one of the great Welsh ale and pub brands and we have a reputation for quality pubs, great ale, and great hospitality.

That is what I am going to build on.

“I have waited a long time for this day.”

Photo: Michelle Francis.