THE Nethergate Brewery, based at Pentlow on the Essex-Suffolk border, is under new ownership following a management buy-in.

It involves three experienced operators from the brewing sector, who, until earlier this year, were working together at Adnams, plus a fourth investor who was initially approached to advise on the deal.

Rob Flanagan, who left his role as commercial director at Adnams in May, has been joined by Mark Holmes, who worked on export and take-home sales at the Southwold-based company until leaving in August.

They will be joined by the end of the year by Mike Atkinson, who is currently still employed by Adnams in a procurement role.

Completing the team is Paul Knight, principal at Bury St Edmunds-based accountancy firm Knights Lowe which specialising in acquisitions and disposals, who will carry out the finance director role.

All of the new owners have put money into the business, with Mr Knight’s offer to invest being one of four received to cover a potential shortfall after the banks they approached declined to support the buy-in.

Nethergate was previously owned by Dick Burge, who founded the multi-award winning brewery in Clare in 1986, before relocating it to larger premises in Pentlow four years ago.

Mr Flanagan said the new team believed they had the skills to build on Nethergate’s reputation for good beer by creating a stronger brand identity and expanding into new markets.