15 Mar 2019 07:00
15th March 2019
Change of Director Responsibilities
The Restaurant Group plc (the "Company") announces that, in line with best practice, after nine years' tenure, Simon Cloke will relinquish his role as Senior Independent Director at the 2019 AGM on 17 May 2019 and that Allan Leighton will take up this position directly following the AGM.
Allan joined The Restaurant Group as a Non-Executive Director in December 2018, at the completion of the Wagamama transaction. Allan is currently Chairman of Co-operative Group Limited and Entertainment One Limited, among others, and has previously been Chief Executive Officer of ASDA Group Limited and Pandora A/S and Chairman of Pace plc and Royal Mail. He has extensive experience of managing public and private companies in the retail and hospitality sectors.
Simon Cloke has agreed to remain on the Board as a non-executive Director up to the 2020 AGM, to ensure continuity whilst the new CEO is recruited. Once a new CEO has been identified, the Board will recruit and appoint an additional non-executive Director with technology and digital credentials, at which point Simon will step down from the Board.
The Committee recognises that Simon has completed nine years as a non-executive Director and has concluded that in all aspects other than tenure he remains independent in his approach and contribution to the Board.
Debbie Hewitt, Chairman, said:
"We'd like to thank Simon for the role he has played as Senior Independent Director and for agreeing to stay for up to a year to ensure continuity whilst we recruit a new CEO. We are delighted to appoint Allan to the role of Senior Independent Director. He is an experienced Director and is already making a substantial contribution to the Board."
| The Restaurant Group | |
Debbie Hewitt MBE, Chairman | Tel: +44(0) 203 117 5001 |
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| MHP Communications | |
Oliver Hughes Simon Hockridge | Tel: +44(0) 203 128 8789 |
About the Restaurant Group PLC
The Restaurant Group plc operates over 650 restaurants and pub restaurants throughout the UK. Its principal trading brands are Frankie & Benny's, Wagamama, Chiquito and Brunning & Price. It also operates a multi-brand Concessions business which trades principally in UK airports. In addition the Wagamama business has 5 restaurants in the US and over 50 franchise restaurants operating across a number of territories.