PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
EAST COAST CONCEPTS GEARS UP FOR GROWTH WITH NEW MD East Coast Concepts, the Manchesterbased restaurant and bar group, has appointed Simon Kaye as managing director as it targets growth across the UK. The Group, which was backed by midmarket private equity firm NorthEdge Capital in 2016, operates two of the most exciting brands in the restaurant and bar trade. Neighbourhood is inspired by New York’s dining district and operates three city centre locations in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds. Victors offers an
elegant Hamptons-inspired dining concept, with three locations in Oxford, Hale and Alderley Edge.
chairman Harvey Smyth, CEO and founder James Hitchen and finance director John Hammond.
Simon has a wealth of experience in the hospitality sector and will be responsible foraccelerating growth of the brands throughout the UK and abroad. Prior to his most recent sector role as a consultant and non-executive director, Simon was the chief operating officer of Intertain, which was sold to Stonegate Pub Co by private equity owners Better Capital in December 2016.
James Hitchen, CEO and Founder at East Coast Concepts, said: “Simon joins at a very exciting time for the business. We have recently launched two new Victors sites in Oxford and Alderley Edge and are gearing up for the next stage of our development. We have ambitious growth plans and Simon’s sector experience will be invaluable in helping us to realise them. He has experience of working with private equity and rolling out a variety of restaurant and bar concepts while still delivering exceptional customer services.”
Earlier in his career, Simon held senior roles at S&N Retail, including the position of managing director of the Pubs West division, responsible for overseeing 750 sites. For the last 12 months he has also supported the UK Hospitality Operations Manager Awards as a mentor judge. Simon joins the company’s senior management team which is led by
Simon Kaye, Managing Director at East Coast Concepts, added: ‘’James and his team at East Coast Concepts have created two stand-out, award winning brands at the premium end of their markets and I very much look forward to working with the team to help drive forward their expansion plans.”
THE LOWRY HOTEL APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE HEAD CHEF Dave Ashton has been appointed the new Executive Head Chef at the Lowry Hotel’s River Restaurant. Originally from Warrington, Dave brings Northern charm alongside a decade of extensive experience in fine dining to his new role at the five-star hotel. With an impressive history of Executive Head Chef roles at respected hotels including the Crewe Hall Hotel and the Park Royal Hotel, Dave hopes to bring a fresh feel to the restaurant this year. Dave’s passion
for food started at an early age, being runner-up in the De Vere’s Young Chef of the Year in 2000 and eventually winning the accolade in 2001. Dave commented: “I am thrilled to join the River Restaurant at the Lowry Hotel Manchester in my new role as Executive Chef. I hope to bring my new creative vision to the restaurant this year using the local and seasonal produce that the hotel is famous for and creating classic British dishes to a high standard.” Working with the team, Dave has started introducing new dishes to
10 | Restaurant Industry News | April 2019
the hotel’s classic menu, with an aim of a full menu update later this year when the restaurant undergoes major developments.