RedCat Pub Company has announced the appointment of new group CEO Richard Lewis, following Kevin Charity’s retirement as CEO of the Coaching Inn Group.
Charity will step down from his role at the end of March, having founded and built Coaching Inn Group “to the industry-leading company it is today.”
Founded in 1996, the company operates a portfolio of historic coaching inns and pub hotels across the UK and has nearly doubled in scale from 18 to 35 sites since the acquisition by RedCat in August 2021.
Lewis will step up as CEO of Redcat, comprising RedCat managed pubs, leases & tenanted pubs, and the Coaching Inn Group.
He joined RedCat in October last year and brings a wealth of experience, having had a successful career in pubs and retail.
Lewis previously joined Greene King as MD of Local Pubs in 2011, later rising to chief operating officer.
Rooney Anand, founder & chairman, RedCat Pub Company, commented: “I would like to express my sincere thanks for all the help and support Kevin has given the team since RedCat acquired Coaching Inn Group. Kevin has built an outstanding team and a compelling culture that delivers a customer service and experience second to none. Kevin’s passion and entrepreneurial spirit have been instrumental in shaping the Coaching Inn Group into the thriving and winning business it is today. He leaves with our admiration, collective thanks, and sincere best wishes for the ‘next chapter’. I would also like to congratulate Richard on his appointment to the role of CEO of the group. He’s made a terrific impact since joining us and I know he will continue to drive momentum and success across Coaching Inn Group and RedCat.”
Kevin Charity, CEO of the Coaching Inn Group, said: “It’s hard to believe 28 years have passed since founding the Coaching Inn Group, as I step down as CEO. I am grateful to have had the privilege of leading this great team and I am immensely proud of how far we have come together. I would like to thank RedCat for the support and backing given to me, helping us to enable the growth of the Coaching Inn Group into the high-quality portfolio it is today. As I hand over the reins, I am very confident that Richard, and the wider team will forge an exciting future for both the Coaching Inn Group and RedCat Pub Company.”
RedCat was founded by Rooney Anand in 2021 as an entrepreneurial venture and investment vehicle for the UK pub sector. It is backed by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management L.P.
