Who we are

John Palmer

Chairman

More about John

John Palmer was born in West Dorset and on leaving school he spent three years with Whitbread in five breweries in the South of England.

On returning to Palmers in 1972, he understudied his father, Anthony Palmer, working through all aspects of the business. In 1976 he became a Director. In 1983 he was appointed Managing Director and became Chairman in 1986.

John is married with four daughters and his interests include fishing, skiing, cricket, golf, tennis and supporting his family’s equestrian ambitions.

Emily Palmer Ramus

Chief Executive

More about Emily

Emily was appointed to the Board of Directors of Palmers in 2015 and joined the business fulltime in 2020. In her ‘previous life’ Emily lived and worked in London for nine years, working in Strategy & Corporate Development for Rothschild & Co, reviewing and delivering strategic projects for the group, and prior to that in Mergers & Acquisitions, helping advise on the sale of a number of consumer and retail businesses including Sipsmith and Farrow and Ball. During this time Emily also attained the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting.

Emily studied Biology at Bristol University, where she met her husband Josh. They share a huge passion for wine (as well as beer!); they jointly studied for the WSET Wine & Spirits exams and often spend holidays discovering different wine regions. Emily enjoys most active pursuits, particularly walking and skiing, at a slightly slower pace now with little Josie and Fred!

Josh Palmer Ramus

Sales Director

More about Josh

Josh joined Palmers in August 2023 to run the Free Trade business. He joins us after spending the majority of his career in finance, working in Advanced Execution Services sales at Credit Suisse in London before changing careers to move down to Dorset full-time to be with his family. In 2022, Josh joined his own family trade, importing and selling porcelain tiles and paving while also working in the wine industry, curating custom wine portfolios for private clients.

As you can guess by the surname, Josh is married to Emily having met at Bristol University where he studied History. While living in London, they completed their WSET Wine & Spirit Exams levels 1, 2 and 3, sparking a longstanding passion for wine travel. A keen golfer and enthusiastic rugby and cricket fan, Josh now spends most weekends with Josie and Fred, enjoying family time at the beach, the pub, and a well-earned refreshing pint.

Dion Stokes

Finance Director and Company Secretary

Find out more about Dion

Dion joined Palmers in July 2026 and, compared with many of his long-serving colleagues, is still relatively new to the business. However, pubs have always been a big part of his life: he grew up in a family that ran pubs which is where he developed a fondness for Ringwood Brewery. Professionally, Dion brings extensive experience from Hall & Woodhouse, where he worked across finance for both the leased and tenanted estate and the managed pub business. He also spent three years in operations as a Regional Manager in the southeast of England. Away from work, life is kept busy by his two young boys. When time allows, he enjoys sailing, playing football, socialising with friends and visiting the occasional beer festival or two!

Jim Jones

Tenanted Trade Director

More about Jim

Jim joined Palmers in mid 2017 having spent the previous 17 years living in west London.

Jim started his career at the OXO tower, progressing through to senior management positions at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, The Savoy and Harvey Nichols Fifth floor before spreading his wings into multi-site management over a large geography with Mitchells and Butlers Browns Restaurants and Premium Country Dining group then, 4 years with Greene King’s Metropolitan Pub Company.

Now settled in Dorset with his wife and children, Jim can regularly be found picking up fossils along the beaches of Charmouth and Lyme and, is working hard on reducing his golf handicap to a respectable level.

Darren Batten

Head Brewer and Director

More about Darren

Darren Batten was born and bred in West Dorset. In 1992 he joined the Palmers’ bottling team as a Biology graduate, employed to write operating instructions for small pack operations. Following a WSET Higher Certificate, Diploma in Management Studies and an IBD Diploma in Brewing, he became Head Brewer in 2007.

He is devoted to real ale, interested in people and a great believer in teamwork, having spent many years interviewing and employing the majority of the brewery personnel.

He’s a keen sportsman and enjoys cycling, golf, cricket, skiing and long alley skittles. As a long-serving parish councillor and Round Tabler, Darren is involved in the community at many levels and supports many village pubs. Having travelled widely abroad, he’s recently bought a campervan and intends to explore more of the British Isles.

WAYNE CAUSlEY

Company Surveyor

More about Wayne

Born and bred in Dorset, Wayne Causley joined Palmers as Company Surveyor in 1996 taking responsibility for the whole property portfolio. Over the years, Wayne has project managed numerous successful pub refurbishments and is known for taking a real ‘hands on’ approach on site.

A passionate sports fan, Wayne is a regular at Anfield, watching his beloved Liverpool FC. Aside from football, Wayne enjoys watching live sports and music events.

Tom Hutchings

Tenanted Trade Manager

More about Tom

Tom Hutchings was born in Bristol. He joined Courage Free Trade at the start of his career in the drinks industry and later moved to Dorset with his family to take up the appointment with Palmers. His interests include sailing, fishing and travel.

Luke Machin

Marketing Manager

More about Luke

Luke Joined Palmers in 2007 with a background in hospitality and a degree in African Studies and Anthropology. Initially working in Palmers Wine Store, Luke migrated to his current role as Marketing Manager. In addition to supporting new licensees and organising brewery events, he has a keen interest in wine and has oversight of the brewery’s trade Wine List.

Luke enjoys walking with his dogs, fixing things in his garage and supporting his wife’s ovine pursuits.