Laurel Pub Company, Robert Tchenguiz's high street pub business, has confirmed Paul Symonds as its new chief executive officer.
The former Spirit executive will join the company on 4 September.
Symonds, who left Spirit last month, joins Ian Payne, executive chairman, and the recently-appointed Suzanne Baker, commercial director, at the helm of the business.
As an investing director he is expected to acquire a significant equity stake in Laurel, which operates 400 sites including the Ha! Ha!, Slug & Lettuce and Yates's brands.
As a divisional director at Spirit, Symonds led the 1,400-strong pub and bar division. It is thought he decided to leave following the sale of the business and the ensuing rationalisation of the managed operations.
