Meet the Team
Chris Radford
Managing Director. Chris spent over 20 years sat on his arse looking at a PC screen before deciding that actually he did have a creative side and that he really ought to start using it before it’s too late. Father of the amazing Luke and Ethan, the three enjoy following the Spireites around the country and taking the mick out of each other incessantly when everything else fails. After completing a BrewLab course in Sunderland, Chris and Jon founded Brampton Brewery in 2007 resurrecting the old name of what was once the biggest local brewery, rivalling Wards of Sheffield. Over the years, the history surrounding the original Brampton Brewery has been uncovered and honored in many forms from beer names to a whole section of the brewery tour dedicated to the history of brewing in Chesterfield. A local lad through and through and a big fan of sport; Chris is an avid Chesterfield FC supporter, where you will find our ‘ale pods’ serving fresh Golden Bud. Chesterfield Cricket Club is also close to Chris’ heart and you will often find our pop up bar at Derbyshire’s festival of cricket in the Park in the summer months.
Jon Leeming
Director & Chief Taster. The only foreigner in the team, Jonty hails from Stockport via Northampton. He took Brampton to his heart when he first arrived in Chesterfield 15 years ago - probably because of the large number of pubs and the short distance between them. Jon is a season-ticket holder at Edgeley Park and rarely misses a game - you could say he's the original mad hatter. A big fan of music, Jon often travels far and wide for his favourite bands and can often advise on the best pre-gig pubs! In the 1981 Top of the Pops performance of Hand held in Black and White by pop duo Dollar, Jonty can be seen dancing in the audience. Within the brewery team, Jon is key to the organisation of daily life.
Rachel Green
Rachel is our Head Brewer and the newest member of the team at Brampton Brewery. Her day-to-day includes brewing, packaging into casks and bottles, creative recipe development on our 9-gallon pilot kit.
Rachel was born and raised in Sheffield (just over the border!). She studied Chemical Engineering at the University of Sheffield and later passed the General Certificate in Brewing in 2020. Since then, Rachel's worked in breweries big and small with brew sizes ranging from 800L to 5000L - she even once brewed in Sweden. Rachel’s favourite achievements at the brewery include Silver SIBA award for Mount Washington and her a forklift license! When not working, she can usually be found walking (or in the pub) with Barley, her rescue lurcher.
David Hattersley
The undertaker. Brampton through-and-through David also shares a passion for quality cask-conditioned ale, and, bizarrely, sits on the board of directors of Stenhousemuir FC. Makes the pilgrimage north of the border at least twice a month during the football season and has the onerous task of persuading the sweaty’s that Golden Bud really is the drink they’ve been waiting for all these centuries.
John Hirst
Lifelong CAMRA member, local CAMRA stalwart and producer of a number of excellent books detailing the brewing and public house history of Chesterfield. John is married to Chris’s sister, Jenny, and has 2 great kids - Paul & Jane. Shares responsibilities in the brewery with a real job for Chesterfield Borough Council.