The History of Harveys

Recent History

One sister Beatrice Harvey-Smith had married a doctor and talented musician from Kent, Frank Carlyon-Rundle. Their only son Eric had recently returned from India and was immediately recruited to the company. In the late 1930s his Aunt May also decided to interview some technical brewers. A newly qualified young brewer called Anthony A. Jenner was subsequently taken-on.

It was these two men who were to strike up a lasting and indefatigable business relationship which over the course of the next 40 years gradually took the firm out of debt, repaired the pubs, brewed award winning beers and developed a respected reputation throughout the local community. Following the second world war Eric Rundle became the Chairman and the last sole proprietor of Harveys; Anthony Jenner was Head brewer and went on to become Managing Director.

Prior to his death in 1980, Eric Rundle had made arrangements to divide the brewery among his three daughters. He also bequeathed a shareholding stake to Anthony Jenner in recognition of his contribution to the recovery of the firm's fortunes. At this time a significant proportion of the Company's shareholding was held in Family Trusts. Anthony Jenner became the firm's Chairman and partnered the Managing Directorship with Eric Rundle's son in law, W.K. Saunders, who took over the administration of the Company's Pubs.

The 1980s also witnessed the beginning of the transition to the next two generations of family. Not only had Eric Rundle's daughters Audrey (Elder), Eileen and Joan (Saunders) taken seats on the Harvey Board, but a younger generation was also being introduced to the firm. Miles Jenner joined the brewing room, after learning his craft at Greene King and a year later Hamish Elder (a seventh generation descendant of John Harvey) joined the firm from Independent Distillers and Vintners. Another seventh generation descendant, Adele Hernandez (nee Saunders), also spent some years with the company administering the pub Estate.

And so from John Harveys' unusual joint venture with Thomas Wood two centuries ago through to the current joint Managing Directorship of Hamish Elder and Miles Jenner, the principles of shared administration have applied successfully within the firm.

There are 13 eighth generation descendents separated in ages by 23 years which gives plenty of scope for future partnerships.