William Lees-Jones is Managing Director of JW Lees, a seventh-generation family business which employs 1,700 people, 150 at the brewery in North Manchester and 1,550 in its 46 managed pubs and hotels, as well as letting a further 94 pubs to Pub Partners. JW Lees has bounced back from lockdown and in 2025 will report sales of £100m, EBITDA of £10.7m and pre-tax profits of £7.1m and has recently bought The Bellflower from Marstons and The Craigside Manor from Whitbread, both of which have benefitted from £1m+ refurbishments and both of which are already profitable.

William started his career in advertising in 1987 and joined the family business JW Lees in 1994 where he was appointed Sales & Marketing Director in 1996. He became Joint Managing Director in 2000 and Group Managing Director in 2003. William is a director of the British Beer and Pubs Association, a director of the Independent Family Brewers of Britain, President of Middleton Cricket Club, trustee of the Onside Foundation, Chairman of the Manchester Grammar School Trust, former Chairman of Oldham Youth Zone, Chairman of the Young Presidents Organization, an Advisory Board Member of The Juice Academy and was the 2012-13 High Sheriff of Cheshire.