Restaurant Group appoints Hewitt as new chairman

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.