Preston-Beer, currently chief digital and commercial officer, will take up the role in March 2027, becoming the first female CEO in Greene King’s 227-year history.
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Mackenzie will remain on the company’s board to support the transition, which follows the launch of Greene King’s 2030 strategy.
Preston-Beer joined the pub company in 2020 as managing director of Greene King pubs before becoming chief operating officer in 2024 and taking up her current role earlier this year.
She previously spent more than 16 years at Whitbread, including as managing director of Costa Coffee for the Middle East and Asia, and currently sits on the board of the British Beer and Pub Association.
Leadership transition
Mackenzie has overseen significant changes at Greene King, including its £2.7bn acquisition by CK Asset Holdings in 2019, investment in its digital operations, the rollout of Hickory’s - which won Best Pub Operations Team at the 2026 Publican Awards - and plans for a new brewery in Bury St Edmunds.
He said: “It has been the privilege of my career to lead Greene King for nearly eight years.
I am delighted that Clair will be taking the reins and having worked closely with her for the last six years, I know she shares my passion for the industry and is an exceptionally qualified successor to take Greene King forward.
Nick Mackenzie
Preston-Beer said she was honoured to take on the role and would continue delivering the group’s growth strategy.
She said: “We have an ambitious strategy in place that is focused on growing share in a challenging environment.
“We will continue to strengthen our core brands and ensure our digital services become central to the everyday experience of our valued customers.”
She added that investment in data and artificial intelligence would remain a priority to improve pub operations and customer experiences.
Gerald Ma, executive committee member at Greene King’s owner CK Asset Holdings, thanked Mackenzie for his contribution and said Preston-Beer had played a significant role in shaping the company’s strategy and operational development.