About
Improving the lives of people and communities through great pub experiences
At Valiant we put people first. Whether that is in front of or behind the bar. For a drink, a meal or an overnight stay. If you’re happy, we’re happy. And if we’re all happy we’re all stronger, together. One big family, united under one roof, all over the UK.
How do we put people first you say? Well, we start off by welcoming one and all, and serving you with a valiant heart. Everything we do is driven by a passion to please, and guided by our core values.
Our Board and Leadership
Gerry Carroll
CEO
Gerry Carroll co-founded Valiant Pub Company in 2021 with the aim of building an industry-leading pub company. He brings extensive experience in the hospitality sector, having co-founded Hawthorn Leisure in 2014, where he scaled the business to nearly 700 pubs. From 2006 to 2012, he served as Managing Director at Enterprise Inns, overseeing 3,500 pubs with over £200 million annual EBITDA. Starting his career in 1985, Gerry has held senior roles at Mitchells and Butlers, Little Chef, Warner Bros, and Whitbread.
Jen Sloyan
CFO
Jen joined Valiant in January 2024 and brings 18 years of finance and strategy experience to her role. She was previously Finance Director at Aggregate Industries (part of Holcim Group) and prior to that was Financial Controller at Next plc. Jen held senior roles at Mitchells & Butler for more than 14 years. Jen qualified as a Chartered Accountant at KPMG and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Mark McGinty
COO
Mark McGinty is co-founder of Valiant and serves as COO, leading the turnaround of community pubs through investment and hands-on management. Prior to starting Valiant, Mark co-founded Hawthorn Leisure, where he was Managing Director of Operations, playing a key role in scaling the company to nearly 700 pubs and implementing its innovative operational strategy. Mark spent 17 years at JD Wetherspoons, latterly as Head of Commercial Operations and Lloyds No. 1 bars.
Matt Jackson
Property & Acquisitions Director
Matt is responsible for leading the growth of Valiant’s pub estate across the UK. Starting his career at JLL, a Fortune 250 global property consultancy, Matt spent over nine years advising institutional landlords, developers and household brands on their property strategies. More recently, Matt worked in-house for a leading franchise group in the QSR sector, spearheading their rollout programme for international brands including KFC, Dunkin’ and Taco Bell. Matt has an MSc in Commercial Property Management and has been a member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors for 11 years.
Arvid Trolle
Njord Partners
Arvid is co-founder of Njord Partners, a long-term investment management firm based in London. As a portfolio manager, Arvid takes an active role in working alongside management teams and stakeholders to drive growth. He has invested in over 30 companies across a diverse range of sectors, including industrials, infrastructure, technology, retail, and offshore energy services. With over two decades of experience in finance and asset management, Arvid has worked at Oaktree Capital Management, Lazard, Broadview International, and Deutsche Bank.
Anna Mellgren Fletcher
Njord Partners
Anna joined Njord Partners in 2014 and has spent over a decade investing in mid-sized businesses across Western Europe. She led Njord Partners’ investment in Valiant Pub Company in 2021. Anna also works as a portfolio manager for a US-based real estate group and family office, managing over 35 real estate assets and leading new investments into distressed real estate. Prior to joining Njord Partners, Anna worked in the Corporate & Investment Banking Division at Citigroup in London, as part of the Global Industrials Group.
Everything we do is driven by our core values.
We champion camaraderie
We’re the helping hand. The arm around the shoulder. The gentle push in the right direction.
We act with courtesy
Forging bonds with our customers and communities through doing right by them.
We are courageous in all we do
We are not afraid to take a risk when we know it is for the greater good of our people and community.
We charge forward
Heart first. Passionate, driven and determined.
We’re in it, all the way, for you. For enjoying great pub experiences. For building stronger communities.
For one and all.