Property director steps down from M&B

Paul Kotrys has stepped down as property director at Orchid, which is part of Mitchells & Butlers, to take up a role at property agency James A Baker, the Publican's Morning Advertiser's sister title M&C Report understands.

Kotrys, who will become a director at James A Baker and based in its London office, spent over eight years at Orchid after spending time at Spirit Group, Punch Taverns and Scottish & Newcastle.

He leaves as M&B prepares to close Orchid’s head office in St Albans this month.

Last month, M&C Report revealed that a number of the operational team at Orchid Group had left new owner M&B, as the Harvester and All Bar One operator gears up to close the company’s head office in St Albans at the end of next month.

Operation directors David Campbell and Darren Traynor, plus Jo Probert, head of operations for Free House Dining & All Inns have all left the company, which acquired Orchid last June for £266m.

M&B entered into a formal redundancy consultation period with 30 employees as it looks to integrate the two businesses.