Azzurri Group is seeking a new managing director for ASK Italian, after Jason Thomas stepped down from the role, M&C has learnt.
It is understood that Thomas has left the business, which he joined last summer, on amicable terms as the c115-strong chain, gears up for its next stage of development.
Thomas, the former operations director at Loch Fyne Restaurants, joined ASK from Whitbread Hotels & Restaurants where he was operations director.
Azzurri Group chief executive Stephen Holmes is expected to oversee the day-to-day running of ASK until a new managing director is appointed.
The brand, which will open next week in Taunton, is currently looking at further expansion opportunities and is believed to have a number of sites in legals.
Azzurri plans to add 20 restaurants in the next year under its ASK and Zizzi brands with a focus on the south east.
Ben Suffolk, former head of property at Le Pain Quotidien, recently joined the Azzurri Group, as its new acquisitions manager.
