Punch Taverns names new R.O.D.

Punch Taverns has appointed David Wigham to the role of regional operations director "to help champion pubs in the North East and East".

He takes responsibility for one of Punch's four core regions, comprising around 1,600 pubs spanning from Berwick in the North East down to South Derbyshire.

Wigham joined Punch at the start of this year from Coors, where for nine years he held a number of senior sales and marketing roles across the on and off trade.

As national account director, he looked after Coors' Punch and Spirit accounts, and prior to this worked at Barclays Bank where he headed their small business division.

Commenting on his appointment, Wigham said he was "passionate about ensuring we continue to develop our pub estate and that our pubs continue to play a valuable role in their communities.

"I have already visited many fantastic pubs in my first few weeks and I have been absolutely delighted with the attitude, commitment and ambitions of the licensees I have met.

"Clearly there is still scope to help many of our licensees develop their businesses to reach the standards of our best."