NORTH YORKSHIRE brewer Black Sheep is welcoming a change in direction in the new year, writes Hester McTurk.

Black Sheep founder Paul Theakston is handing control to his eldest son Rob who will become managing director at the Masham business.

Rob Theakston has spent the last year working as joint managing director with his father, who will now step down from day-to-day management to spend more time campaigning on national brewing matters. He will, however, still retain responsibility for the export trade.

Rob Theakston, 36, and himself the father of two sons, said: “When my father purchased the site in 1990 I spent all my spare time and holidays helping to build the brewery.

“I left school and trained in agriculture and animal science, but brewing was in my blood and I quickly returned to the trade in 1997.

“I followed this by studying at Heriot Watt in Edinburgh and becoming a qualified brewer, then worked a two- year stint brewing at Carlsberg in Leeds.

“I returned to Black Sheep as assistant brewer in 2007, looking after the Distribution and Technical services teams and have worked alongside my father for the last 12 months as joint managing director to learn from the best in the business.”

Rob’s appointment is one of the many developments at Black Sheep which aims to continue the revitalisation of the cask ale industry.

Rob said: “We have many ideas to drive the business forward and reach out to a new generation of cask ale drinkers, as they are the future of the industry. Black Sheep has grown to be a well-known brand and we have survived probably the most turbulent times in British brewing history, outliving many long-established brewers, and I hope to continue this success and innovation for years to come.”