Independent catering group CH&Co has appointed Stuart Lawson as Group Chief Executive Officer, reporting to Chairman Tim Jones.
This strategic move will enable Tim to dedicate more time to existing senior client relationships, develop future corporate strategies, and seek new areas for business development, while adding Stuart’s considerable executive experience in the retail and leisure sectors to the CH&Co board.
Next phase of profitable growth
Having joined as a non-executive director in October 2013, Stuart’s primary challenge in his new role is to propel the company into the next phase of profitable growth using his proven business improvement skills. A qualified accountant, Stuart’s early career included various finance roles with Diageo plc, before successful CEO roles with Alldays PLC and SFI Group PLC and five years as a Managing Director / Partner at KPMG.
Caroline Fry, CEO of the Business & Industry arm of the business and Alison Tyler, CEO of the Commercial arm, will report to Stuart and the new structure will support them as they build on the phenomenal success they have delivered in recent years. Under their leadership of their respective businesses turnover grew last year by 26% to £97m and the company expects to break the symbolic £100m barrier this year, by a considerable margin.
CH&Co founder Robyn Jones will continue to work closely with Tim to develop the business further – driving forward its famed core values.
New impetus
Chairman Tim Jones commented: “Stuart will bring a new impetus to the business and add considerable value to the exceptional work that Caroline and Alison deliver year after year. They have been instrumental in successfully building our business and now Stuart will help us realise our potential for further growth. For over 20 years we have implemented prudent expansion plans: firstly by building Charlton House as a champion of great food in the workplace; then by creating six sub brands to diversify and focus our efforts across a series of market segments; and more recently by acquiring Apostrophe.”
Stuart commented: “It’s an exciting time to be a part of CH&Co and I am delighted to be taking up this new opportunity. The company has established a first class profile in the workplace, at visitor attractions and at some of the nation’s most prestigious venues. It is now expanding its national presence and onto the High Street. I am looking forward to helping this talented board move an already-successful business into the next phase of development.”
About CH&Co
CH&Co is a leading independent catering group with six specialist businesses: Charlton House (staff catering at B&I sites), Lusso (City and fine dining), Chester Boyd (livery halls and private venues), ITA (venues and events booking agency), Ampersand (public and event catering at iconic & private venues) and Via 360 (bespoke reception services). Current annual turnover stands at £97 million and the group employs almost 2,500 people nationwide.
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