Island Poké has appointed Nicolas Barnoin, formerly of Famously Proper, as its new managing director.
Barnoin will join on 31 October from his role as COO at the Byron and Mother Clucker operator.
He previously spent 20 years with Itsu, working his way up from GM to shops director covering an estate of over 70.
This summer Island Poké said it achieved all time sales records since its inception almost six years ago, and launched new concept Poké Bao.
To August this year the brand surpassed their pre-pandemic 2019 sales by +6%, while their like-for-like sales vs 2021 are tracking at +81%.
The brand has secured a new long-term supply chain and logistics agreement allowing them to mitigate the current inflationary challenges the industry faces, whilst delivering incremental profit gains.
Working closely with founder James Gould-Porter, Barnoin will look to grow the business and its network of franchise partners to establish the brand as a fast-growing success story.
Island Poké has sold more than 80 locations across the UK due to open over the next five years, with debuts in Cambridge, Birmingham, Bristol and Scotland scheduled for the remainder of this year, plus a further 150 potential locations identified yet to be sold.
As well as domestic growth, the brand will continue to expand in France, where the estate will grow from 12 to 32 Islands over the next three years.
The brand currently has 31 Islands across the UK and France and a residency in the luxury shopping destination, Bicester Village.
Island Poké is backed by White Rabbit Projects and Hero Brands.
Nicolas Barnoin, Island Poké MD, said: “It’s great to be joining Island Poké as managing director at such a pivotal moment in its expansion. The ‘healthy quick service restaurant’ market in the UK is on the verge of breaking through into the mainstream and the talented Island Poké team are at the very forefront of this trend with a brand that customers adore and a product that is both healthy as well as nutritious and doesn’t compromise on taste.
“Island Poké is on an exciting growth journey and I am looking forward to joining such a vibrant brand and work alongside James, the team and our franchise partners (current and future) to further drive its expansion and deliver new locations across the UK, Europe and beyond.”
Island Poké founder James Gould-Porter said: “We’re excited to welcome Nicolas to our Island Poké Ohana as our new managing director.
“Nicolas has a breadth of industry knowledge and his expertise will be a key asset in our growth plans as we look to bring Island Poké to more customers up and down the country.”
