JD Wetherspoon crowned best company
JD Wetherspoon has been crowned best company at the Retailers' Retailer of the Year Awards, organised by M&C Report.
However, JD Wetherspoon founder and chairman Tim Martin missed out on the award for the eating and drinking out sector's best individual, which went to Yo! Sushi chief executive Robin Rowland.
He emerged from an assorted shortlist of eminent business leaders from the eating and drinking-out market, narrowly beating: Philippe Le Roux, chief executive of Le Pain Quotidien UK; Julian Metcalfe, founder, Pret A Manger; Ian Neill, chairman, Wagamama; Alan Parker, chief executive, Whitbread and Martin.
The awards, in their 11th year, are unique in that they are the only ones voted for by senior executives from the industry itself. They are, therefore, a true reflection of what the market thinks, identifying the best companies, concepts and individuals.
Rowland took the helm at Yo from founder and serial entrepreneur Simon Woodruffe in 1999, tasked with turning the business around, and has since grown it from four restaurants to 50.
Over the past four years he has led a refinancing of the business three times, most recently last year through a tertiary buyout with Quilvest, the Paris-based private equity group, which valued it at £50m.
"He is very much the modern chief executive in this sector — a passionate leader and a genuine business builder who has created massive shareholder value," said M&C Report editor Mark Stretton.
"He is largely responsible for transforming his company from an exciting concept into an international thriving business."
Nando's was identified as the sector's best concept, while the revitalised brand award went to Costa Coffee.
The industry's favourite venue was Vapiano, the European fast-casual concept that made its debut in London last year on the site that used to house Oliver Peyton's Mash, just north of London's Oxford Circus.
Deal of the year went to Pret A Manger and Bridgepoint Capital for last year's £350m refinancing of the business and investor went to Richard Caring, the entrepreneur who has stakes in Cote, Bill's Produce, The Ivy, Soho House and Wentworth Golf Club.
Jamie's Italian scooped two awards, winning emerging concept and managing director Simon Blagden collecting the rising star prize.
The awards were generously supported by event partners BDO Stoy Hayward, Brakes, Brulines, Coca-Cola Enterprises and Zenith Hygiene Group.
