Andrew Walker has stepped down from the Casual Dining Group (CDG) as its managing director of business development to pursue new opportunities in the wider UK eating-out market, M&C understands.
The former managing director of Pret A Manger UK joined CDG as part of the re-organisation of its management team back in October 2014.
During his 18-month spell with the group, Walker helped progress a number of significant projects including a new training and development partnership with the Alain Ducasse organisation, and the creation of Café Rouge’s Rapide grab-and-go concept.
CDG chief executive Steve Richards: “The board and I would like to place on record our thanks to Andrew Walker for his excellent service and contribution to the group, and we wish him well as he begins the next chapter of his career.”
The company recently appointed Mark Nelson as managing director of international franchising and concessions as it sets its sights on significant overseas development.
Nelson – who has been working with the group as a consultant for 12 months – will head a newly-created division of CDG and lead the concessions, which include operations at airports and holiday parks, such as Center Parcs.
Nelson is a former managing director of Elior UK, the contract caterer, and has also held several senior roles at OCS Group, the facilities management company with annual revenues of £900m.
It follows last year’s opening of a Café Rouge restaurant in Dubai and the opening of Bella Italia in India – both in concert with franchise partners.
Richards said: “I am delighted to welcome Mark to the group, who has been instrumental in helping to establish our franchise business. He brings a wealth of experience, which will be important as we take our brands further into the Middle East and Asian markets.”
The Bella Italia restaurant in India – the brand’s first international location – is set to open later this month at Aerocity in New Delhi, in partnership with Wave Hospitality. It follows last year’s debut of Café Rouge in Dubai.
