Pesto appoints MD

Former Mission Mars director of operations Menesh Modhwadia has joined Pesto as managing director.

Modhwadia will oversee an “aggressive” growth strategy for the 10-strong business.

Prior to joining Mission Mars, Modhwadia held roles at Mitchells & Butlers, Inventive Leisure and The Fat Cat Café Bars.

Nine of Pesto’s venues are in converted pubs across the Midlands and the North West.

Neil Gatt, Pesto chief executive, said: “We are delighted to announce that Menesh will be joining our business and that he will oversee an aggressive growth strategy that we have planned for the business.

“We are very excited about the future, and we are looking forward to working with Menesh, who will bring energy, fresh ideas and leadership…”.

Gatt said Pesto’s growth strategy was largely based on doing more of what it did well, which was taking on failed pub sites and turning them into thriving businesses.

“However, we are also researching other potential areas for growth as we feel our versatile branded offering could flourish in a number of different environments.”