Leon, the naturally fast food brand, has strengthened its management team with the appointment of former Wagamama executive Antony Perring as its first chief financial officer, as the company prepares for substantial growth.
Perring, who stepped down from Wagamama after nearly eight years during which time the brand tripled in size from 35 to 110 company-owned sites, will head up Leon’s finance department.
He is joined at the 21-strong, Active Private Equity-backed brand, which plans to open another 12 sites this year, by new director of finance Chris Burford, who spent also eight years at Wagamama as financial controller.
In total Perring and Burford have over 45 years’ combined experience in working across private equity and venture capital backed enterprises in the hospitality, leisure, IT, retail and financial services sectors.
Leon, which earlier this week collected the Evolution Award at Retailers’ Retailer, will open its next site in Kingsway, Holborn later this month.
Perring said: “Chris and I are both hugely excited to be joining Leon, a fantastic brand punching well above its weight, and with a huge future. We can’t wait to contribute to this growth story, playing our part in Leon’s mission to change the face of fast food.
Leon co-founder and chief executive John Vincent said: “To achieve our potential we need a team of world-class leaders who have relevant experience, and who share our values. Antony and Chris were the lead candidates in a very thorough and far-reaching search. Just as important as their experience is the positivity and strength of character they display. I wish them a very long and prosperous career with us.
“They’re joining at a really exciting time for Leon. 2014 was a very strong year, and we now have big plans for this year, with twelve new restaurant openings. Antony and Chris are important to this growth, and to cementing our position as the original founders of, and leaders in, naturally fast food.”
Perring, who takes over from finance director James Morris at Leon, left Wagamama last year, with Jane Holbrook joining the Duke Street-backed brand as its new chief operating officer.
He said the company believes it is in a position to do this “without risking the balance sheet or over stretching ourselves”.
Vincent previously told M&C Report: “Our mission is to be the future of fast food by having restaurants in every high street around the world and to be more valuable than McDonald’s.” To do this he said the group will have to find ways to make its products cheaper and to help people value food highly in their lives.
He said that the company, which will open in Birmingham later this year, had made £2m profit in 2014 and expected to make £4m in 2015.
