After five and a half years as chair of the brewery and pub operator, Rucker will leave the role with effect from 8 July “in view of his other increased business commitments”.
The announcement comes as it was confirmed that Rucker had been named chair designate of the British Land Company, a property development an investment firm based in London. He will take up this role on 9 July.
Senior independent director at Marston’s, Octavia Morley, will lead the Nominations Committee as it undertakes a comprehensive search process to appoint a successor to Rucker, with a further announcement about his replacement set to be made in due course.
Rucker joined Marston’s as chair in October 2018 and is a chartered accountant with a number of years of experience in banking and financial services. Previously, he was the chair at Lazard UK, Crest Nicholson and Quintain Estates and Development and a non-executive director at Rentokil Initial.
Commenting on his decision to step down, he said: "It has been a real privilege and honour to serve as chair of Marston's.
“I am confident that Marston's is in great shape and in good hands as the company prepares for the next phase of its development with chief executive officer, Justin Platt at the helm.
“I wish Justin and the wider team every success in the future."
Explaining his motivation for joining the British Land Company, Rucker added: “I have long admired British Land as a company with a terrific heritage and am delighted to be taking on the role of chair.
“It is a fantastic business with a strong track record and a highly effective team at its helm. I look forward to working with the Board and the team as we take the business forward”.
Based in Wolverhampton, Marston’s is part of a joint venture with Carlsberg UK called Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company, of which it holds a 40% stake.
In other news, Yorkshire beer maker Black Sheep Brewery has undergone a “major rebrand” as it looks to begin the “next chapter” in its history.
