Our Story.
The Pear Hospitality Group is a family operated company operating in the North West of England. The group has four venues, each with their own identity and flair. Pecks Restaurant was the first venue for the group, showcasing exemplary fine dining and recognised with an AA Rosette, it has been impressing guests for over 40 years. The Wheatsheaf Hotel in Sandbach opened in 2016, receiving a full refurbishment, it too impressed the AA inspectors, claiming 5 stars and the Gold Award for accommodation. The Lion & Swan Hotel in Congleton reopened to the public after a 14 month refurbishment and was judged by the AA to be worthy of an AA Rosette for culinary excellence and 5 stars for accommodation. The Blue Bell in Smallwood is the Pear Hospitality Group’s latest venture, a fabulous country pub in the heart of the village, due for a refurbishment in January 2024.
Our Directors.
Andrew Pear
CEO
Andy has developed many interests over his working life. In 2008, he decided to invest in a long established fine dining restaurant in Moreton, just outside of Congleton. Pecks Restaurant was Andy’s first venture into hospitality, he ensured that Pecks had continued success and built upon its unique and famous concept, Dinner at 8.
Andy’s youngest son, Jake, fell in love with the industry, and together they have grown the company with new and exciting venues.
JAKE Pear
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Jake began his working life at Pecks Restaurant, working his way from junior server to a duty manager. Deciding that hospitality was going to be his career, he went to Manchester and studied Hospitality Management. Whilst in Manchester, he gained experience with one of the country’s best hospitality groups, Living Ventures. Leaving Manchester in 2016, it was time to open The Wheatsheaf alongside Chris Baldwin.
Chris Baldwin
Operations Director
Chris and Jake met as friends at university whilst studying Business and Hospitality Management. Whilst in the planning phases for The Wheatsheaf, Jake reached out to Chris to see if he would come on board to the Pear Hospitality team as the Assistant General Manager. His previous experience comes from working for the 5* Radisson Edwardian hotel group across the UK and various roles over in the USA. Chris has been an integral part to Pear Hospitality since the beginning, he now works alongside Jake as our Operations Director, overseeing our venues and ensuring guests receive the best experience.
Josh Pearson
Finance Director
Another of Andy’s sons, Josh has unrivalled experience in the finance sector. Starting his career as an analyst for PWC in London, Josh came back to his roots and continued his career with the family businesses. Josh looks after the finances of all of the Pear family businesses, ensuring their continued growth and expansion.
CAROL BRANIFF
HEAD OF PEOPLE
An experienced HR Professional of 30+ years Carol has worked in a wide range of organisations at strategic and operational level. Along with looking after the people aspects of the business, Carol is a Lecturer in Human Resource Management at Chester University and is passionate about enabling people to achieve. She enjoys blending people management practice and contemporary research to help make a difference and is currently undertaking a Doctorate to examine the extent to which job-related confidence improves performance. Carol brings these interests and expertise to her role to support the growth of the business and the development of its talent.
