Shepherd Neame
Shepherd Neame is Britain's oldest brewer (founded 1698), an independent family-owned brewery and hospitality group based in Faversham, Kent, operating an estate of approximately 300 managed and tenanted pubs, hotels and inns across London and the South East alongside wholesale beer distribution and direct-to-consumer sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersKent, United Kingdom
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Shepherd Neame does
Shepherd Neame is Britain's oldest brewer, founded in 1698 and headquartered at its Faversham, Kent brewery, where it produces a portfolio of heritage ales (Spitfire Amber Ale, Bishops Finger, Master Brew), contemporary beers (Whitstable Bay, Bear Island, First Drop Session IPA), seasonal lines (Christmas Ale, Late Red), low-alcohol SKUs, and distributed international brands (Singha since 2019, Hürlimann). Production relies on chalk-filtered artesian well water drawn from beneath the site, a 15-barrel Small Batch brewery for limited editions (running since October 2023), and the monthly Cask Club programme. Bishops Finger holds an EU Protected Geographical Indication.
The company operates a vertically integrated brewery and hospitality model organised into three units: Managed Pubs and Hotels (~300 venues across London and the South East), Tenancy and Licensed Properties, and Brewing & Brands. It serves general pub-goers, premium-dining seekers, families, sports fans and tourists through its on-trade estate, and reaches trade customers and supermarkets through wholesale distribution (since March 2024 outsourced to GXO across the South East heartland, with a Thurrock-based transit team serving Greater London). Direct-to-consumer revenue comes from its e-commerce shop, brewery tours (from £25 per person / £275 per private group), gift cards, and Todd's The Wine Company supply partnership.
Shepherd Neame is an independent, family-owned private limited company (registered in England, company number 138256), with no parent company and no disclosed institutional investment. The chief executive is Jonathan Neame. FY2025 revenue (year ending 30 June 2025) was £164.3m, generated across roughly 1,528 employees as of December 2025. Pricing varies by venue; direct hotel bookings carry a 10–15% discount, and brewery tours are priced per individual or per group. Revenue mechanics are split between managed-pub and tenanted-pub rent/revenue share, brewing wholesale to trade and supermarkets, and ancillary streams (tours, online shop, gift cards, dining experiences, wine/spirit distribution).
Shepherd Neame firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Shepherd Neame
- Legal name
- Shepherd Neame Limited
- Website
- https://shepherdneame.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Shepherd Neame is Britain's oldest brewer (founded 1698), an independent family-owned brewery and hospitality group based in Faversham, Kent, operating an estate of approximately 300 managed and tenanted pubs, hotels and inns across London and the South East alongside wholesale beer distribution and direct-to-consumer sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Shepherd Neame industry classification
Industry- NAICS
- Breweries (31212)
- SIC
- Malt Beverages (2082)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Regional & National Breweries (THAFALAD), Beer Retail (Bottle Shops & Beer Merchants) (CRANABAC)
Keywords
Where Shepherd Neame is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kent
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Shepherd Neame business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
Revenue model
- Managed Pubs and Hotels: Shepherd Neame operates around 300 managed pubs, hotels and inns throughout London and the South East. Revenue is generated from food sales, drink sales (beer, wine, spirits, cocktails), accommodation (hotel rooms), and experiences (afternoon tea, dining experiences). Direct booking offers 10% off, with 15% off for advance bookings.
- Brewing and Brands: Shepherd Neame brews an award-winning range of classic and contemporary ales and lagers at its Faversham brewery. Revenue comes from selling its own branded beers (Spitfire, Bishops Finger, Master Brew, Whitstable Bay, Bear Island, etc.) through its managed pub estate, to trade customers (other pubs), and via supermarkets and the online shop. The company also distributes Singha lager (Boon Rawd Brewery, Thailand's original Thai beer) in the UK since July 2019 under a distribution agreement.
- Tenancy and Licensed Properties: Shepherd Neame also operates a tenanted/licensed pub model, offering traditional Tenancy Agreements and a Tenancy Partnership Agreement. Tenants run their own pub with support from Shepherd Neame, paying rent or a share of revenue. The company is seeking new licensees for properties including The Railway Hotel in Faversham.
- Online Shop and Merchandise: Direct-to-consumer e-commerce sales of beers, ciders, branded merchandise and gifts delivered to customers' doors. The online shop enables customers to buy cases, curated collections, or build their own selection.
- Brewery Tours and Experiences: Revenue from selling tickets to award-winning brewery tours (individual tours at £25/person, private group tours from £275), evening tours with ale sampler's supper, beer and food matching dinners, and the brewery shop selling products in person.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Brewery Tour — £25 per person |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Private Group Tour — from £275 per group (up to 10) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Evening Tour and Ale Sampler's Supper — price varies |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Beer and Food Matching Evening — price varies |
| Subscription | Monthly | Hotel Direct Booking — 10% off standard rate |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Little Shepherds Kids' Menu — charitable donation |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Gift Cards — variable loadable value |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Shepherd Neame product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Shepherd Neame is Britain's oldest brewer (established 1698), an independent family-owned brewery headquartered in Faversham, Kent. The company brews and distributes a portfolio of cask ales, lagers, ciders and bottled beers under brands including Spitfire, Bishops Finger, Master Brew, Whitstable Bay, and Bear Island. It also operates an estate of approximately 300 managed and tenanted pubs, hotels and inns across London and the South East of England, distributes international brands such as Singha and Hürlimann, and runs brewery tours, dining experiences and an online shop.
Product overview
Shepherd Neame is Britain's oldest brewer (established 1698), operating as an independent family business in Faversham, Kent. The company offers a diverse portfolio of over 30 beer and cider brands alongside an estate of approximately 300 pubs, hotels and inns across London and the South East. The core beer portfolio includes heritage ales (Spitfire Amber Ale, Bishops Finger, Master Brew), contemporary ranges (Whitstable Bay, Bear Island, First Drop Session IPA), seasonal offerings (Christmas Ale, Late Red), and distributed international brands (Singha, Hürlimann). The pub estate provides accommodation, dining experiences (including premium Beef Wellington and Seafood Tower experiences), brewery tours, and food services. Supporting offerings include gift cards, afternoon tea, and Todd's The Wine Company spirits selection. The company also operates a Small Batch brewery for limited-edition beers and a Cask Club programme for monthly limited-edition cask ales.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Spitfire: Beer brand including Spitfire Amber Ale and Spitfire Lager, first brewed in 1990 to mark 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain
- Bishops Finger
- First Drop
- Iron Wharf
- Whitstable Bay
- Bear Island
- Master Brew
- Small Batch
- Cask Club
- Todd's The Wine Company
- Grants Morella Cherry Brandy
- Hürlimann
- Singha
- Christmas Ale
- 1698
- India Pale Ale
- Double Stout
- Orchard View
- Five Grain Lager
- Hat-Trick Hero
- Late Red
Quantifiable outcome
- London pub sales surged 11.2% in H2 2025 (M25 region) vs 1.4% outside London
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Shepherd Neame
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments6 records
Shepherd Neame technology and API
TechnologyAPI detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Shepherd Neame partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and secondary.
- FoodaricoreShepherd Neame entered a new partnership with fellow Kent-based business Foodari for the supply of fresh, sustainably sourced fruit and vegetables to Shepherd Neame's estate of managed pubs and hotels across London and the South East. Foodari is a Royal Warrant holder (King Charles III) for the supply of fruit and vegetables to the Royal Household. The partnership supports seasonal, freshly prepared menus while reducing food miles and championing regional growers. Both companies share values around quality, sustainability and supporting local communities. Officially launched June 2026 during peak strawberry season at Newlands Farm in Teynham.
- LTA (Lawn Tennis Association)coreShepherd Neame entered a landmark three-year partnership as Official Beer Partner and Supplier for three major British tournaments: the HSBC Championships, Lexus Eastbourne Open, and Lexus Nottingham Open — part of the LTA's 2026 grass court tennis season. The partnership includes experiential activations, exclusive product offerings, and hospitality programmes designed to enhance the spectator experience at these summer tennis events.
- The Railway Hotel LicenseesminorShepherd Neame seeks new tenants/licensees for The Railway Hotel in Faversham following an extensive refurbishment. Prospective operators can choose between a traditional Tenancy Agreement or Shepherd Neame's Tenancy Partnership Agreement with enhanced support including business reviews, marketing support, central purchasing, technology packages and accounting support.
- Sussex CricketcoreSussex Cricket agreed a multi-year pouring rights partnership with Shepherd Neame — described as the most lucrative such deal in the cricket club's history. The agreement includes investment in new bar infrastructure at Hove, installation of several new bars ahead of the 2026 season, and the launch of an exclusive 4% lager named Sea End. Both organisations described the collaboration as a strategic fit to enhance the matchday experience and support Sussex Cricket's ambitions to develop Hove into a leading sports and entertainment venue.
- GXO LogisticscoreShepherd Neame launched a new partnership with logistics company GXO in March 2024 for the distribution of beer, wines, spirits and minerals. The dedicated GXO team delivers to pubs throughout Shepherd Neame's south-east heartland, with support for Greater London provided by a new transit team in Thurrock. This investment is aimed at enabling superior customer service and improved stock control accuracy.
- Boon Rawd Brewery (Singha)coreShepherd Neame has distributed Singha beer (Thailand's first and official premium lager, produced by Boon Rawd Brewery since 1933) in the UK since July 2019. Like Shepherd Neame, Boon Rawd is an independent family-run business sharing commitments to quality and service. Singha is a light golden lager with a traditional 100% malt recipe, full-bodied and rounded with a crisp finish. Distributed as both draught and packaged products.
- Sheppy's CidercoreOrchard View cider is created in partnership with Sheppy's, representing the best in British brewing and cider making. The cider uses finest dessert, culinary and cider apple varieties including Falstaff and Dabinett, artfully blended to produce a refreshing, well-balanced cider suitable for vegans and gluten free consumers.
- Kent CricketcoreShepherd Neame has been a long-time sponsor of Kent Cricket. The Club's Canterbury headquarters is named The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, after Shepherd Neame's Spitfire beer brand — a prominent naming rights sponsorship that connects the Kent Cricket brand with Shepherd Neame's heritage.
- Bromley FCsecondaryEFL League Two team Bromley FC with a pouring rights partnership with Shepherd Neame. Shepherd Neame supplies beer and associated products to the football club.
- Millwall FCsecondaryEFL Championship team Millwall FC with a pouring rights partnership with Shepherd Neame.
- Leyton OrientsecondaryEFL League One club Leyton Orient with a pouring rights partnership with Shepherd Neame.
- Maidstone United FCsecondaryShepherd Neame is a principal sponsor of Maidstone United FC, supporting the non-league football club.
- Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS)coreKSS is Shepherd Neame's chosen 'Sheps Giving' charity of the year. KSS is the local air ambulance charity for Kent, Surrey and Sussex, bringing specialised doctors and paramedics to emergency scenes 24/7, 365 days a year. Shepherd Neame pledged to raise £30,000 through its Little Shepherds kids' menu programme (July 2024 – December 2025), with 50p donated per two-course Meal Deal sold. Also partnered with Pennies digital charity box for micro-donations.
- Pennies (Digital Charity Box)minorShepherd Neame partnered with Pennies, the digital charity box, to boost funds for KSS. Customers at selected pubs and hotels are invited to make a 25 pence donation when spending over £25 and paying by card. 90% goes to KSS and 10% to Pennies.
- Kent CrispsminorShepherd Neame partners with fellow independent producer Kent Crisps to bring a taste of Kent to its pubs.
- Chapman's of SevenoaksminorFor more than 10 years, the majority of fish on Shepherd Neame menus has come from Chapman's of Sevenoaks.
- Clock House FarmminorShepherd Neame has worked with soft fruit supplier Clock House Farm for more than 25 years. Produce is used across menus including in the Little Shepherds kids' menu.
- Cheesemakers of CanterburyminorBased a few miles from the Faversham Brewery, Cheesemakers of Canterbury supply Shepherd Neame pubs with artisan cheeses.
- Kingcott DairyminorThe Kingcotts produce award-winning Kentish Blue cheese and milk on their farm in the heart of Kent, supplied to Shepherd Neame pubs.
- Laslett and SonsminorLaslett and Sons grow a wide variety of fruit and vegetables all year round on Little Weddington Farm, supplying Shepherd Neame pubs.
- Creekside Coffee / John Street BeverageminorShepherd Neame teamed up with fellow Kent independent family business John Street Beverage (Creekside Coffee) to supply coffee to its pubs.
- Todd's The Wine CompanyminorTodd's The Wine Company of Shepherd Neame supplies wines from around the world to Shepherd Neame pubs. Family owned and independent properties and growers are preferred partners, with many relationships spanning over 35 years. Sourcing includes English wines from Kent and Sussex, European wines from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Georgia, and New World wines from Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and California.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Shepherd Neame competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Mitchells & Butlers: Large listed UK pub and restaurant operator (~1,700 sites, brands including All Bar One, Toby Carvery, Harvester, Sizzling Pubs). Doesn't brew at scale but is a directly comparable managed pubco model operating at materially larger scale than Shepherd Neame.
Direct peers
- Marston's: Listed UK brewer and pub operator with ~1,500 pubs, inns, hotels and restaurants. Owns brewing brands including Marston's Pedigree, Banks's, Ringwood, Jennings and Wainwright, sharing Shepherd Neame's combination of regional cask ale heritage and a managed pub estate.
- St Austell Brewery: Family-owned South West brewer (est. 1851) with a managed pub and hotel estate, brewing flagship Tribute ale. Direct analogue for a family brewer combining regional cask ale production with a managed/tenanted estate.
- Greene King: UK brewer and pub operator founded in 1799, owned by CK Asset Holdings. Operates a large managed and tenanted pub estate (~2,600 sites) alongside brewing (IPA, Abbot Ale, Old Speckled Hen), making it the closest large-scale UK analogue to Shepherd Neame's integrated brewing-and-pubco model.
- Wadworth Brewery: Wiltshire-based independent family brewer (est. 1875) operating 200+ tenanted and managed pubs alongside brands such as 6X and Horizon. Closely comparable on family ownership, regional cask ale focus and integrated pub estate.
- Timothy Taylor: Independent Yorkshire family brewer (est. 1858) of Landlord and other cask ales, supplying both its own small pub estate and trade customers. Comparable on family ownership, cask ale specialism and PGI/award-recognised heritage.
- Charles Wells (now Bedford-based Wells & Co.): Independent family brewer (est. 1876) of Eagle, Bombardier and Young's range, with a tenanted and managed pub estate. Comparable on family-owned brewing-hospitality integration, though with a wider national footprint.
- Adnams Brewery: Independent family brewer and hospitality group (est. 1872) based in Southwold, Suffolk. Combines brewing with hotels, pubs and inns in East Anglia — a comparable regional, family-owned brewing-hospitality model, albeit at smaller scale.
- Fuller, Smith & Turner's Griffin Brewery: London-based family brewer (est. 1845) operating Fuller, Smith & Turner's managed pub estate alongside brands like London Pride and ESB. Comparable in scale, regionality, cask ale heritage and family ownership profile.
- Robinson's Brewery: Independent family brewer (est. 1838) based in Stockport, Greater Manchester, with a managed and tenanted pub estate across the North West and North Wales. Comparable on family ownership, regional scale and integrated pub/brewery model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Shepherd Neame social profiles
Digital presenceShepherd Neame compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Shepherd Neame financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Shepherd Neame leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Shepherd Neame funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Shepherd Neame M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Shepherd Neame
What does Shepherd Neame do?
Shepherd Neame is Britain's oldest brewer (established 1698), an independent family-owned brewery headquartered in Faversham, Kent. The company brews and distributes a portfolio of cask ales, lagers, ciders and bottled beers under brands including Spitfire, Bishops Finger, Master Brew, Whitstable Bay, and Bear Island. It also operates an estate of approximately 300 managed and tenanted pubs, hotels and inns across London and the South East of England, distributes international brands such as Singha and Hürlimann, and runs brewery tours, dining experiences and an online shop.
Is Shepherd Neame a public or private company?
Shepherd Neame is a private company. It is currently operating.
When was Shepherd Neame founded?
Shepherd Neame was founded in -1. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Shepherd Neame based?
Shepherd Neame is headquartered in Kent, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Shepherd Neame make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Managed Pubs and Hotels are the primary driver. The others are brewing and Brands, tenancy and Licensed Properties, online Shop and Merchandise and brewery Tours and Experiences.
Who are Shepherd Neame's main competitors?
Mitchells & Butlers is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Marston's, St Austell Brewery, Greene King, Wadworth Brewery, Timothy Taylor, Charles Wells (now Bedford-based Wells & Co.), Adnams Brewery, Fuller, Smith & Turner's Griffin Brewery and Robinson's Brewery.
Does Shepherd Neame have an API?
No public API is recorded for Shepherd Neame.
What industry is Shepherd Neame in?
Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAIAA, Beer Brewing & Brands, with a secondary code of THAFALAD, Regional & National Breweries. Its NAICS code is 31212 and its SIC code is 2082.