We’re delighted to share that JW Lees Brewery has been named Family Business of the Year at the Private Business Awards 2026, sponsored by Charles Russell Speechlys.

The awards celebrate the achievements of some of the UK’s leading privately owned and private-equity backed businesses, with this year’s winners selected from a shortlist of 97 businesses across 11 categories.
For JW Lees, this is a particularly special recognition.

We’ve been a family business since 1828, and today the brewery, our pubs and our inns and hotels continue to be shaped by the same long-term approach that has guided the business for generations. This award is a testament to the people across JW Lees who work hard every day to keep the business moving forward while staying true to where we come from.

A very proud moment for everyone at JW Lees, and a fitting recognition of what can be achieved when family, people and business pull together.

JW Lees is a seventh-generation family brewery and hospitality leader, founded in 1828 by retired cotton manufacturer John Lees.  JW Lees is based at Greengate Brewery, Middleton Junction and the business comprises JW Lees Brewery, JW Lees Pubs, The Alderley Edge Hotel, The Stanneylands Hotel, The Trearddur Bay Hotel and Willoughby’s Wine Merchants.  JW Lees employs over 1,580 people, 162 at the brewery in Middleton Junction and over 1,422 in their 48 managed pubs, inns and hotels. JW Lees also lets another 82 pubs to JW Lees Pub Partners and has 5 retail agreement pubs.