Loungers has recruited a new finance director from Casual Dining Group as it continues to roll out its Lounge and Cosy Club brands and plan a future sale.
It has appointed Chris Guy, who is currently strategic finance director for Casual Dining Group which operates leading national restaurant brands such as Las Iguanas, Café Rouge, Bella Italia, La Tasca and Belgo. He will join in October, replacing Andrew Perry who is leaving the company to embark on another project.
Last week, Loungers opened its 75th Lounge bar, Carnero Lounge in Derby (pictured) after a £650,000 investment. It also operates 14 venues as The Cosy Club.
Loungers chief executive Nick Collins said: “Andrew has seen the business double in size during his two and a half year tenure as finance director. He leaves with the board’s gratitude for the great job he has done during a critical phase of Loungers’ growth and our best wishes for the future.
“Andrew notified us a few months ago that he wished to move on and provided us with sufficient notice to carry out a thorough search for his replacement.
“In Chris Guy I am confident we have the right person to steer the financial side of the business through the continued roll-out of both the Lounge and Cosy Club brands and a future sale process.
“Chris brings a wealth of multi-brand, acquisition and funding experience from his time at Casual Dining Group and was the stand-out candidate in a thorough selection process.
“The business is at around 20% of the potential scale of its existing two brands and I look forward to working closely with Chris as we continue to grow.”
Chris added: “I am delighted to be joining one of the fastest-growing businesses in the sector. I have been really impressed with the culture, management team and passion throughout the company. There are exciting times ahead for Loungers and I am looking forward to the challenge and being part of the team.”
Photograph by Antony Potts.
