British pub firm head named most influential person
The head of leading pub firm JD Wetherspoon was today named as the most influential person in the drinks industry.
Tim Martin came top of a poll published by the trade’s main newspaper, the Morning Advertiser, beating off executives of brewing giants including Carlsberg-Tetley and Guinness - and the Prince of Wales.
Mr Martin, who founded the JD Wetherspoon chain in 1979 at the age of 24, with one pub in London, was praised for ‘‘consistently leading the way’’ in raising pub standards.
‘‘Tim Martin is a phenomenon,’’ said Morning Advertiser editor Andrew Ping.
‘‘Everyone in the pub business watches to see what he does next. His influence is immense.’’
JD Wetherspoon runs more than 560 pubs across the UK and plans to open 90 more every year for the foreseeable future.
Second in the list was Ted Tuppen, chief executive of Enterprise Inns, followed by Giles Thorley, chairman of Punch.
The Prince of Wales was in 49th position following his comments that pubs were the hub of the local community.
