Ten Entertainment's chief executive strikes out

The UK's second largest 10-pin bowling operator Ten Entertainment announced on Tuesday that chief executive Alan Hand is to leave the company on 14 December for personal reasons.

Hand has 29 years of experience in the leisure and restaurant sectors, including a board level operational role at Paramount, and has been chief executive of Ten Entertainment since March 2017 after joining the company as operations director eight years ago.

Nick Basing, chairman of Ten Entertainment, said: "We respect Alan's wish to step down. Working with him closely for nearly 10 years in this business has been a pleasure and I am disappointed not be continuing this successful journey together. I would like to express the board's and my gratitude to Alan for the significant contribution he has made and wish him well."

The AIM-traded company said a “full and wide ranging” search for Hand’s successor is to begin immediately.

Ten Entertainment also said the company had continued to trade well as the integration of four new site acquisitions continues smoothly, with the business on track to meet expectations.

As of 1037 BST, Ten Entertainment’s shares were down 2.67% at 256.96p.