The Restaurant Group shakes up senior team

The Restaurant Group (TRG), national operator of brands including Wagamama and Frankie & Benny's, has announced several changes to its senior leadership team. 

After more than five years at TRG, Kirk Davis will stand down from his role as chief financial officer (CFO) after the presentation of TRG’s interim results in September 2023. Davis will conduct the analyst presentation and investor roadshow in September and remain available to the company until 31 October.

Following a thorough internal and external process, Mark Chambers (currently chief executive officer for Leisure & Concessions) will take on the role of CFO designate from 1 July and will formally take over as group CFO from 15 September. Chambers has over 20 years of senior experience in leisure and hospitality. After spending 15 years in finance, Chambers moved into general management roles over 10 years ago. This combination of financial and operational experience makes him a very strong candidate for TRG’s next stage of evolution.

Jonathan Knight, who has been with TRG for just over three years, will become CEO of Leisure & Concessions reporting direct to Andy Hornby (with effect from 1 July).

Jacqui McManus (currently people director for Leisure & Concessions), will take on a dual role as group HR director and people director for Leisure & Concessions (reporting to Andy Hornby).

Commenting on the changes, CEO Andy Hornby says: "These management changes are the result of carefully managed succession planning. I would particularly like to thank Kirk for his huge efforts over the past five years. TRG is a very different business from when he joined in 2018. He was instrumental both in the acquisition and successful integration of Wagamama and in supporting the business as it successfully navigated the Covid pandemic. We wish him all the very best for the future."

Current trading remains in line with management expectations and TRG plans to announce its interim results on Wednesday 6 September.

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