Bury St Edmunds chain Greene King takes three titles at The Publican Awards 2021

Greene King won in three categories at The Publican Awards 2021, with the Bury St Edmunds-based brewery and pub chain named best community pub operator.

The company was further hailed at 'the Oscars of the pub world', being named best leased and tenanted pub company, with chief executive Nick Mackenzie also winning business leader of the year.

The boss was described by judges as ‘being instrumental in impressively steering his business through choppy waters.'

Mr Mackenzie said: “I never expect these things, of course I’m pleased but a massive shout out to my team.

"They absolutely were great. Every single one of our employees were great and hopefully they will see the benefit of this award too.

"It has been a crazy two years since joining Greene King as CEO but I have absolutely loved it. Really enjoyed being back in the industry. I've learnt masses as a leader over the past 12 months and the industry as a whole has done an incredible job too amid the pandemic."

The Publican Awards 2021 held a virtual ceremony yesterday.

Greene King's leased and tenanted pubs division Pub Partners was praised by judges for looking after its tied pub tenants during the Covid-19 pandemic, which judges said was especially impressive ‘given the size and scale of the task’.

Greene King Pub Partners managing director Wayne Shurvinton said: “The team and I are absolutely delighted. They’ve done a phenomenal job over the last 12 months and to win this award means a lot to us and it means a lot to our licensees as well.”

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