Lakeland Inns hires new executive chef
Cumbria-based pub operator Lakeland Inns has appointed Darran Hargan as its new executive chef.
Hargan will oversee the food offer and the development of kitchen teams across the group’s five Lake District sites.
On top of holding senior chef positions, Hargan also spent three years as an assessor for NVQ hospitality and management trainees.
Discussing Hargan’s appointment, Lakeland Inns managing director Kirsty Ridge said: “We’re delighted to have been able to welcome someone as experienced as Darran on board to help steer the vision for each pub and to bring out the very best in our teams.”
Fuller’s appoints new finance director
Fuller, Smith & Turner has announced the appointment of Neil Smith as finance director joining the company at a date to be confirmed, but no later than 1 December 2021. Smith will also be appointed to the board as of the same date.
Smith is currently chief financial officer of Domino’s Pizza Group, has more than a decade’s experience as a FTSE 250 CFO and comes with a wealth of experience in the pub sector having spent nine years with Ei Group prior to joining Domino’s.
“I am looking forward to joining the Fuller’s team,” Smith said. “It is a business I have long respected and admired. I am passionate about pubs and welcome the opportunity to bring my experience to bear with this great company and play my part in the continued development of this iconic business and its future success.”
Chairman Michael Turner added: “I am delighted to welcome Neil to our company. He brings a wealth of experience, together with valuable industry expertise, and has a very good financial track record.
“Neil shares our values, will fit well with our culture, and will help our leadership team grow the business as our country emerges from the pandemic. He will be a great asset to Fuller’s, and our board looks forward to working closely with him in the future.”
Purity CEO joins Culpeper Family Hospitality Group board
Purity Brewing Company and award-winning pub operator the Culpeper Family Hospitality Group have announced a new business partnership to join forces in London.
Founded in 2012 with the acquisition of the Culpeper Pub in Spitalfields by co-founders Nico Treguer and Gareth Roberts, the Culpeper Family Hospitality Group has grown into a four-strong group of boutique premium pubs across London led by managing director Sandy Jarvis.
As part of the long-term training and business partnership, Paul Halsey, CEO and co-founder of Purity Brewing Company, will join the operator’s board while the Culpeper Family Hospitality Group will also stock a range of Purity cask, keg and packaged brands.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Purity to strengthen our presence in London.’ Halsey said. “I’ve long been an admirer of Nico and his team’s professionalism and constant drive for excellence. With their diverse group of pubs, each with their own personality and charm, they never fail to impress me with quality of service and offering”
Treguer added that strengthening his group’s partnership with Purity felt like “an obvious next step”.
“As a long-standing customer of Purity’s, we have always shared the same high quality, sustainability and community values,” he added. “Combining this shared ethos with Paul’s extensive knowledge and expertise in hospitality, we are excited to work a lot more closely together for years to come.”
Big Drop announces two new hires
Independent alcohol-free beer company, Big Drop Brewing has revealed that that Nicole Goodwin, formerly marketing director at Jaegermeister, is joining the team as marketing director, and that Darren West, formerly marketing director at Brown-Forman Australia, has also joined as Australia country manager.
The beer maker has also raised £3.5m in equity investment which will help it fulfil plans for the rest of the year including a new London venue.
“Big Drop has seen fantastic growth over the last few years, due in no small part to the hard work, commitment and belief of our brilliant team,” Rob Fink, CEO and founder of Big Drop, said.
“This investment will give us the turbo-charge needed to build on our mission to brew great tasting beer that just so happens to be alcohol-free and to pursue our vision of being the world’s best-loved alcohol-free beer.”
David Atkinson, senior investment manager at Panoramic Growth Equity, added: “Rob, James and the team at Big Drop have created exceptional alcohol-free beers, a premium brand and a name with universal appeal.
“As consumer tastes develop, the alcohol-free drinks market is experiencing high growth and Big Drop is at its forefront.
“We share the team’s vision to grow the brand in the UK and overseas and are pleased to provide investment to support this goal.”
