Susan Barratt, the former finance director of Laurel Pub Co, is to be the new finance director of Eldridge Pope, the Dorset-based pub and bar operator.

Barratt, 37, was previously director of finance at Pubs Inn Line, a division of Whitbread. Her appointment looks likely to put to an end reports that Eldridge Pope is being stalked by Greene King.

Pope's previous finance director, John Harper, retired this month.