It’s all change at the top of Wadworth’s management.

The brewery has announced a major restructure of its business. Chief executive officer Chris Welham, who only joined the company five years ago, will leave in December.

He is to be replaced by Toby Bartholomew, son of chairman Charles Bartholomew.

Moving forward, Mr Bartholomew Snr said he was “delighted” that Wadworth will once more be under the management of the family name.

He added that it was “always the intention” for the brewery to return to a Bartholomew.

He said: “Chris has been a loyal and dedicated member of the Board and has led us through a considerable period of change. It was always the intention for Chris to oversee an orderly transition of his duties to a family director.

“I am pleased to confirm that Toby Bartholomew will become Managing Director of Wadworth once Chris has left us. My sincere thanks go to Chris for the way he has led our business over the years and also for the help and support he and his team have given to Toby. Chris goes with our best wishes and huge appreciation for his considerable contribution to the Company.

“ I am obviously delighted that Toby will take over and that the leadership of the company once again comes back into the family fold”.

Mr Toby Bartholomew is the great-great-grandson of John Smith Bartholomew, who was in partnership with brewery founder Henry Alfred Wadworth who created the firm in 1875 and ten years later moved it to its present home.

Moving forward, he is confident he can steer the company through further coronavirus ramifications.

He said: “I’m looking forward to taking on the role with our long-established family business as it enters its next chapter.

“For me, Chris has provided support and his expertise over the last two years and I’m very grateful to him for this.”

It’s been a challenging year for Wadworth, whose collection of pubs and inns have been repeatedly forced to close or operate at reduced hours, due to the pandemic.

Ambitious plans for a multi-million-pound new brewery on the outskirts of Devizes were also put on hold.

This week, Wadworth also announced they have exchanged contracts for the sale of 21 pubs to the Liberation Group - owners of Butcombe Brewing Co - for “an undisclosed sum.”

Bosses have promised a “seamless transition” and that all employees will hold onto their jobs at the various pubs which include the Kings Arms Hotel in Melksham, the Crown Inn in Dyrham, the White Hart in Wroughton and the George Inn in Norton St Philip.

Jonathan Lawson, CEO, Liberation Group added: “We have worked closely with Wadworth to ensure that the sites we’re bringing into the Liberation Group family are the best fit for us and that the transition is smooth and successful. We believe these sites present via a blended approach to the offer and environment of these pubs delivered by their great teams.”

Jayson Perfect, group managing director of Pubs & Inns at the Liberation Group added: “The pubs are already at the heart of thriving communities with great teams in place so, with a touch of Butcombe magic, we look forward to continued success in the years to come.”

As a result of the new acquisition Butcombe Brewing Co is looking for team members to fill a number of front and back of house roles.

Interested applicants should email careers@butcombe.com for further information