Francis Patton to leave Punch
Punch customer services director Francis Patton is to leave the company on 7 December to pursue "new challenges".
Following the news, Punch has appointed former Spirit Group director of planning Nigel Turpin as corporate affairs director, a role he will start on 5 November.
Turpin will report to a new strategy director, who will be announced "shortly".
Patton joined Punch in 1999, when it acquired the Vanguard portfolio from Allied Domecq.
He said: "I have been with the same company in different guises for 22 years and I felt it was time for a new challenge.
"My departure is entirely amicable and I look forward to a break over Christmas before pursuing some new opportunities next year.
"I hope to stay in the pub sector."
Punch chief executive Giles Thorley said: "Francis now feels that he has successfully completed what he set out to achieve at Punch and he is ready to move on to apply his experience and skills to other areas.
"I know he is very proud, as we all are, of the industry leading reputation with which Punch is now credited within the sector.
"He has been an extremely valued member of the team and he goes with our very best wishes for his future endeavours.
"Francis's departure has given us the opportunity to refocus our corporate affairs structure to make the best use of our in-house expertise. Nigel brings with him a wealth of experience from 25 years in our sector, starting in the leased and then the managed pub business with GrandMet, followed by the position of planning director at Scottish & Newcastle Retail and then Spirit.
"Punch has a great talent bank of people in the business and has exciting prospects ahead as we continue to build the UK's pre-eminent pub company. I'm sure you will all join with me in wishing Francis all the best for the future and in supporting Nigel in his new role."
