Honeycombe gets new finance boss

Honeycombe has announced that Tracy Alston will join its board as financial director.

The appointment comes as the business announces plans to push ahead with two new "Nectar" schemes that will increase the number of pubs in its 105-strong managed estate.

Alston joins from Blackpool-based cooker distributor Britan-nia Living Limited and was also director of finance at Phones 4U, part of the Caudwell Group.

Following the success of Venture Capital Trust qualifying vehicle Nectar Taverns, which currently has an estate of 23 unbranded pubs managed by Honeycombe, plans are in place for two new schemes to be created when Nectar One reaches capacity (28 to 30 pubs) by the end of March this year.

Nectar Two will follow the same format as the first scheme, creating an estate of around 30 pubs in the North of England. Nectar Three will be used to finance the roll-out of Ma Hubbards, a value-for-money dining concept that is owned by the Great English Pub Company, for whom Honeycombe already manage the six existing sites.

Honeycombe director Bryan Wardman said he believes there are exciting opportunities from other areas.

"Our growing reputation for delivering management services means we are close to completion of a number of contracts with third parties," he said.