PizzaExpress has appointed Nigel Colne CBE as non-executive deputy chairman.

He will have responsibility for administering the Board process,

chairing meetings, all corporate governance issues and will continue as chairman of the remuneration committee.

The move frees executive chairman David Page to devote more time to strategic issues, site selection, restaurant design and investor relations. The company has also appointed Patrick Hartrey as company secretary, allowing Glen Tomlinson to concentrate exclusively on his duties as group finance director.

The company is also to recruit a third independent non-executive director.