Bass, the pubs-to-hotels leisure group unveiled a new chief executive as the group geared itself up for a post-brewing future.

Tim Clarke, currently the chief executive of the Bass Leisure Retail division, will take over from Sir Ian Prosser as group chief executive on October 1.

Sir Ian, who is currently both chairman and chief executive of the group, will remain as chairman after October 1 and will be responsible for the strategic direction of the group.

Sir Ian said today: "I am delighted that we are appointing Tim Clarke as group chief executive.

"He has excellent experience in the hotel business and in restaurants and pubs and was responsible for the group strategy earlier during his ten years in Bass."