FDBusiness.com

English regional brewer and pub operator, Charles Wells, has been recognised in the inaugural Sunday Times International Track 200. The listing, at number 194, notes that Charles Wells has grown international sales 22% a year from £7.9 million in 2009 to an annualised £10.9 million in 2011. Charles Wells is the parent company of Wells and Young’s Brewing Company which has a thriving export division and Charles Wells Pub Company that runs eight managed pubs in France through its John Bull pub chain.

Chairman Paul Wells comments: “The UK is a challenging economy at the moment so we’ve put a lot of effort into exporting – for both our traditional beers and our pub know-how. We’re pleased to have been listed as it demonstrates the strength of our business in a number of different markets and is the result of great planning, hard work and effective team working from so many people within the company.”

He continues: “We have two exports that have made a great impression with our overseas customers – a fantastic range of traditional beers and the unique English pub. We’ve worked hard to bring the same quality and standards that we have in the UK to overseas markets so that all our customers can enjoy the authentic taste and atmosphere they’d find in this country. We’ve developed some special ranges of beers and a number of different styles that suit diverse marketplaces and our distributors share our passion for great quality beer and excellent customer service. In France, we’ve just opened our eighth pub under the John Bull Pub Company name, in Lyon, and are planning further expansion.”

The inaugural International Track 200 league table and awards programme is compiled and run by Fast Track in association with the Sunday Times and focuses on top-performing private firms and entrepreneurs. Charles Wells is the only brewer to be recognised on the list, which includes other well known names such as Cath Kidston, Specsavers and Hunter Boot.