Award-winning business development manager Joe Smith is to leave Enterprise Inns at the end of the month to take up a new role with rival operator Greene King.
Smith, who scooped the annual Association of Multiple Retailers Association's Pubco Operations Manager Of The Year last September is to run 55 pubs for GK in his native north east.
He says the career move presented a new challenge and was too good an opportunity to turn down.
His new patch is bigger than his current north east area with Enterprise but has 10 fewer pubs.
"Greene King has some excellent tenanted and leased pubs in the north east and the company wanted somebody with experience of the region," he explained.
"The job presents a good challenge and is something I am looking forward to.
"I have enjoyed my time with Enterprise but felt I had to take this new opportunity when it arose," he added.
Smith has spent the last six years with Enterprise but has 26 years' experience in the trade including 13 years as manager of a pub in Bishop Auckland.
He takes up his new appointment as regional operations manager for Greene King at the end of January.