William Lees-Jones, managing director of family-owned pub and brewing group JW Lees, has called on incoming prime minister Andy Burnham to provide greater support for the hospitality sector, as the company announced record annual results despite what he described as “little or no useful support from Government.”
Record financial performance
JW Lees reported revenues of £105.6m for the year to March 31, a 5.7% increase on 2025. Pre-tax profit rose to £8.8m, up from £7.1m the previous year, while EBITDA earnings reached £12.3m. The group’s core draught beer sales grew 3.7%, boosted by the relaunch of Boddingtons Cask Bitter, which JW Lees brews under licence from Budweiser.
Investment and expansion
The company invested more than £10m in its pub and hotel estate over the year, completing over 20 major refurbishments. Since the year-end, JW Lees has acquired two new pubs: The Royal Oak in Glossop and the Bull’s Head in Poynton. Both are undergoing investment before reopening in the coming weeks. The group now operates 138 pubs from its historic brewery in Middleton.
Management changes
JW Lees announced it will merge its Managed Pubs and Inns & Hotels divisions in April 2027 under Chris Moulson as director of operations. Gary Stafford becomes director of operations – pub partners, and Lee Reeves becomes director of people, both joining the group management board from October.
Call for government support
Lees-Jones, a vocal advocate for family businesses, criticised the government’s inheritance tax changes introduced by Rachel Reeves, which altered Business Property Relief (BPR). He said: “For family businesses like JW Lees the changes that Rachel Reeves brought in to change Business Property Relief have made things even tougher since we are now having to plan for higher levels of inheritance tax for our family shareholders and this will inevitably lead to reduced investment in the business.” He added: “At a time when the UK economy desperately needs growth it seems unfair that the Government has handed competitive advantage to overseas companies and private equity who are not exposed to these costs.”
Hope for new leadership
Lees-Jones expressed hope that incoming prime minister Andy Burnham would introduce more favourable policies. He said: “Brewing and hospitality are tough sectors right now and we continue to be impacted by above-inflation rises in labour rates, high business rates and little or no useful support from Government. We hope that Andy Burnham can change all that, with more favourable policies to help the hospitality sector which will also create new jobs.”
Family business commitment
Despite challenges, Lees-Jones reaffirmed the company’s commitment to remaining family-owned as it approaches its 200th anniversary in 2028. He said: “JW Lees will do whatever it takes to remain a family company.” Earlier this year, he described the inheritance tax changes as an “act of self harm” that would stop family firms growing, warning they would lead to less investment and job creation.
