Camerons Brewery Ltd is one of the largest private breweries in the UK, with the capacity to produce more than 1 million hectolitres of beer annually. Formed in 2002, following its purchase by businessman David Soley, the company’s origins date back to 1865 when John William Cameron was engaged to run the original brewery. Camerons is headquartered in Hartlepool at the historic Lion Brewery site (built in 1892), and its Visitor Centre is located nearby on the site of the former Stranton pub – one of the town’s oldest pubs. In addition to its core brewing operation, Camerons possesses a growing retail pub estate of more than 70 venues – ranging from community pubs and city centre venues to restaurant and accommodation-based outlets. This includes the popular Head of Steam brand, which the firm acquired in 2014 and seven new venues purchased from Leeds Brewery in July 2016.