Wilkinson named as new boss at La Tasca

Simon Wilkinson, the former Kout Food Group (KFG) and Paramount Restaurants executive, is to take the helm at La Tasca, the Spanish casual dining chain, as chief executive.

The appointment is part of a move to separate the business completely from its previous parent company Bay Restaurant Group, and to separate its

management from Town & City Pub Company.

Wilkinson will join La Tasca, which has 67 restaurants in the UK plus five restaurants in the US, in February.

Suzanne Baker, who was appointed interim chief executive of Bay in February 2010, will resume her primary role of commercial director of Town & City,

working alongside chief executive Toby Smith.

Kaupthing and Commerzbank will continue their respective investments in La Tasca. The banks are also majority shareholders in Town & City.

Potential​

Wilkinson, who most recently served as chief operating officer of KFG, which operates the Maison Blanc and Cha Cha Moon brands as well as some Burger King franchises, said: "La Tasca is a fantastic brand with the potential to tick all the boxes within current food trends we have exciting plans for the brand both within the UK and internationally over the next few years."

Wilkinson said the key focus at La Tasca would be people development.

Prior to KFG, he served as chief operating officer at Paramount Restaurants, reporting into Nick Basing.

David Myers, who chairs Town & City, will become chairman of La Tasca Holdings with immediate effect.

Bay Restaurants will effectively cease trading. Its Ha Ha brand was last year sold to Mitchells & Butlers while management of the Slug & Lettuce chain was taken over by Town & City in February 2010.