SARAH WEIR, Managing Director
Created by Sarah Weir, Albion & East is a collection of individual neighbourhood bars. Sarah observed that, amongst the vast array of restaurants, coffee shops, cocktail bars and great British pubs, there was a lack of decent all-day-and-evening bars. She wanted to create places where people felt as comfortable going for early morning coffee & hot-desking as they did for cocktails & wood-fired pizza in the evening, with each bar having its own individual identity, design & neighbourhood vibe. Sarah was backed by IMBIBA & first funded in 2016.
DARREN RUMBELOW, Operations Director
Aa a co-founder, Darren has been with Albion & East from the start. He is an incredibly seasoned operator, with over 20 years of experience operating bars across the UK for the likes of Revolution, Bramwell Pub Company and Davy's Wine Bars. Darren is a critical part of the team tasked with the high class delivery of the concept, culture and on the ground operations across all the Albion & East bars. Darren and his team create the world-class customer experience in bars every day that drives the success of Albion & East.
CALUM BRAZIER, Finance Director
After qualifying as a Chartered Account in 2015, Calum immediately moved out of practice to the world of business as the Financial Controller of Rotary Watches in Soho. Having by chance visited Martello Hall in early 2017, Calum joined later that year and has since progressed to Finance Director where he is responsible for driving efficiencies in the P&L and future growth. Not only does Calum look after the finances, he is hands on in day to day operations of the business and has special focus on driving the online home delivery business and Tiny Tower Liquor.
JOHN CONNELL, Chairman
An award-winning leader and serial investor in the hospitality sector. John’s work has been recognized by winning various awards, including the coveted Peach CGA Industry Icon 2017 award and the “Best Exit” award from the EIS Association in February 2014, for their trade sale of Drake & Morgan which generated 5.7x multiple. John believes in entrepueners abilities to create market-leading concepts and has sought out, and backed, the best-in-market for more than 20 years.