Restaurant Group appoints Hewitt as new chairman

Restaurant Group has announced Debbie Hewitt MBE will take over as the company’s chairman in May.

It follows the retirement of Alan Jackson, who has been overseeing the FTSE 250 company which operates a number of restaurants and pubs including Garfunkels for the last 15 years.

Hewitt has been on the board as a non-executive director since May and has extensive public company expertise in the consumer sector both as an executive and as a non-executive director.

She is currently Chairman of Moss Bros Group and senior non-executive director of Redrow and NCC Group.

“She has strong business credentials and I know that she will add insight and guidance to the board,” said Jackson.

Jackson, who signalled in 2014 his intent to retire, has played a pivotal role in turning around the then ailing City Centre Restaurants and subsequently building the company into a leading restaurant business.

“The Restaurant Group has been on a tremendous journey and it has been a privilege to be a part of its growth and development,” he said.

“It is a fantastic company and I have a very high regard for the team.”

Hewitt will take up the new role after the company’s AGM in May.

Shares in the company dipped after the announcement, down 6p (1.14%) to 520p at 0907 GMT.