Finance director James Kowszun is quitting SFI Group to take the helm at Hartford, the publicly-quoted pub and restaurant group.
Mr Kowszun (pictured on right with SFI chairman Tony Hill) will take over as chief executive from Sheila McKenzie, who will concentrate on the group's creative development.
Hartford owns a clutch of restaurants and pubs, primarily in London, including the once-troubled eaterie, Pharmacy. It plans to focus on bar-with-food outlets.
"It's almost a start-up company," said Mr Kowszun. "We have big growth plans so there should be a chance to do some great things.
"I have some strong, even aggressive views on how it should be done. This is a great opportunity to see if I am right.
"It's a fantastic team - Sheila McKenzie and the group of people at Hartford are one of the main reasons why I'm going."
SFI is currently looking for a new chief executive but Mr Kowszun said it was possibly a bit early for him to consider a job of that magnitude. "SFI is a fantastic business," he said. "Heading the company and managing its phenomenal growth is a big job.
"Leaving the group was the hardest decision," he added.
Mr Kowszun will leave the company once a new finance director has been found.
He was previously finance director of the Slug & Lettuce chain that was bought by SFI in August 2000. Prior to that he worked for Bass, SmithKline Beecham, and accountant Arthur Andersen.