JW Lees’ Managing Director celebrates huge win at this year’s Publican Awards

Manchester’s oldest brewery, JW Lees, this week secured a major win for the region’s hospitality industry, with its managing director, William Lees-Jones taking home the award for Business Leader of The Year at the 2026 Publican Awards.

Noted as the pub industry’s biggest awards night, the Publican Awards celebrate the very best in the sector, shining a light on those who have successfully navigated what can often be an unpredictable industry. Hosted at Evolution London, the awards ceremony recognises the hospitality industry’s best in the business, using a rigorous voting process from a curated shortlist.

JW Lees is a 7th generation Manchester based brewery, which is proudly still family-run by Managing Director, William Lees-Jones. The brand manages over 50 pubs and hotels stretching from Manchester to Wales, alongside having over 80 pub partners.

In addition to a stellar year of record sales, William has taken the family brewery to new heights, including leading the launch of Founder’s Hall in Manchester and bringing back the legendary Boddingtons cask to its northern home. 

William’s cousin, Michael, proudly accepted the award on his behalf on the night, which was rightfully awarded for achieving exceptional results for the Manchester-based brewery, and for tirelessly campaigning against the Government’s taxation of the industry. 

Speaking on his win, William Lees-Jones said: “This award is all about flying the flag for the beer and pub sector at a time when it’s never been so hard to run a pub.

“Our 7th generation family business is on a knife’s edge with the changes to inheritance taxes, and I am really perplexed as to why the chancellor and treasury want to punish successful family businesses like ours at a time when we could be helping to grow the UK economy with investment and jobs. Here’s to all the teams that make JW Lees so special.”