E-Malt.com News article: UK: Heineken names new managing director for Beavertown brewery

Heineken has named Will Rice, who is currently on-trade sales director at the Dutch firm’s UK arm, as the new managing director for Beavertown, the Drinks Business (db) reported on May 1.

Speaking to db about his move to the helm of the north London brewery, Rice explained that he had big plans to continue the business’s growth and hinted at a “pipeline of innovation” to come, in what he called the “next phase” for Beavertown.

Rice told db: “The next phase is focused on building on Beavertown’s strong momentum – driving continued growth, deepening customer partnerships, and keeping a strong pipeline of innovation true to the brand.”

Rice’s appointment to the role will see its former managing director Jochen Van Esch stepping down after three and a half years at Beavertown and returning to the Heineken Group. In Rice’s place, Mick Howard, currently operations director for Star Pubs, will become the Heineken UK on-trade sales director.

Beavertown sold its final 51% stake of its business to Heineken in September 2022, the move followed the maker of Gamma Ray and Neck Oil having already sold a 49% stake of its business to Heineken back in June 2018 for £40 million.

Following the 2018 deal with Heineken, the business put its funds towards building a new brewing facility in Tottenham Hale called Beaverworld. As a result, the new location offered up 10 times the brewing capacity of its former site.

Historically, Beavertown had developed a cult following specific to its craft brewery image. Its founder Logan Plant had previously been very vocal on the importance of independently-owned “craft” breweries being distinct from corporate macro beer companies. On this topic, Heineken UK managing director Boudewijn Haarsma has insisted that Beavertown “continues to operate as a separate company with its own distinctive identity”.

Haarsma added: “Will has an outstanding track record in the on-trade, and he is the right leader to guide Beavertown through its next phase of growth.”

Rice, Howard and Van Esch will each move to their new roles from 1 June.

07 May, 2026