Gary Pettet has stepped down as Executive Chairman of Laine Pub Company, after 16 years with the group.
Pettet was key to developing the company into a leading pub operator and now one of the fastest growing craft breweries in the UK.
The company stated: 'Gary Pettet has stepped down as executive chairman of South East pub operator and craft brewer – the Laine Pub Company – in order to focus on his other business interests.
'Originally appointed by Graphite Capital in 2002 to oversee its investment in late night bar operator C-Side, he led a 2007 merger with Brighton pub operator Zelgrain to create the business that now trades as Laine Pub Company, and which operates an estate of 55 pubs in Brighton and London, and produces a range of craft beers in its production brewery in Sussex.'
With new backers on board, the group's next pub opening is the Ninth Life in Catford, scheduled for early in the new year.
The brewing arm of the company has recently signed distribution agreements with some of the UK’s leading pub operators for its craft beer portfolio, which includes Source pale ale, Ripper IPA, Word lager, Mangolicious pale ale and Breaker pale ale.