Restaurant Group confirms Breithaupt departure, Andy McCue new chief executive: The Restaurant Group has confirmed that after 15 years with the company, and two years as chief executive, it has been agreed that Danny Breithaupt will step down from the board and leave the company with immediate effect. The board has completed the initial phase of the operating strategy review, and has decided that a new leader is needed to implement the initial actions and then prioritise the next phase of the review. Debbie Hewitt, chairman, said: “Danny has provided strong operational leadership over the years. He has fully participated in the review of our operating strategy in a professional, conscientious and thorough way. We have agreed that this is an appropriate point for him to handover to a new leader who will implement the initial actions and set the priorities for this next phase of development for the business. We wish him well for the future.” The board has hired Andy McCue as chief executive. He will start with the company and join the board on 19 September 2016. The Restaurant Group stated: “Andy is a proven listed company chief executive, having recently held that role at Paddy Power plc, where he embedded a new growth strategy which delivered record revenues and profits, as well as playing a pivotal role in the merger with Betfair plc. Prior to that, he led the Paddy Power UK and Irish retail businesses, having transformed the profitability of the UK business and overseen its development over eight years. Prior to his ten years with Paddy Power, Andy was a principal with OC&C Strategy Consultants and a manager at Andersen. He is currently a non-executive director and chairman of the Remuneration Committee of Hostelworld, a recently listed digital, international travel business.” Hewitt added: “I am pleased to welcome Andy to the company. I am delighted that he will be able to lead the implementation of this initial phase of our operating strategy and then prioritise the ongoing review. Andy brings strong consumer, people and brand-led CEO credentials, with very relevant experience from a multi-site business. His extensive strategic background, coupled with a strong commercial flair, proven hands-on operational expertise and digital credentials, will bring considerable strength and new skills to the leadership of our executive team. We welcome him to the board and very much look forward to working with him. Between now and Andy joining, I will take a more active role in the business to ensure we maintain momentum on the operating strategy review and that we provide a comprehensive handover to him.” The company will announce its Interim results on 26 August. The business continues to trade in line with previous guidance. An update on the operating strategy review will be given at the Interim results.

Carlsberg UK creates premium division: Carlsberg UK is building a premium brand and sales division called the House of Beers, as part of its ongoing transformation. The House of Beers will be dedicated to premium, world and craft beers and ciders, and will provide specialist support to customers within the Independent Free Trade operating premium on-trade venues within major cities across the UK, including central London. The total Carlsberg UK brand portfolio, which includes the House of Beers, is being curated by Liam Newton, vice president brands marketing, who joined the brewer in June having held roles at brand consultancy Landor, Nestle, ABInBev and Bacardi Brown-Forman. Newton will be supported by a specialist marketing team with experience in developing premium brands. The House of Beers brand portfolio includes Carlsberg UK’s collection of premium and craft beer and cider brands including its Backyard Brewery range imported from Sweden, its Herefordshire craft cider Bad Apple, Belgian beer Grimbergen and Spanish beer, Mahou. The brewer will also be looking to expand the portfolio in the future. To provide special expertise with customers, Carlsberg UK has recruited specialist sales director Craig Ogden to lead the House of Beers sales team, having worked previously at Remy Cointreau UK and Bacardi Brown-Forman Brands. He joins Carlsberg UK later this month. The transformation of the UK business is being led by UK chief executive Julian Momen. He said: “This is a pivotal moment in the transformation of our business to focus on brewing and selling a portfolio of premium quality beer brands. We remain committed to our core brands and core customer-offering, but through focused expertise and a specific brand portfolio, the House of Beers adds something new, and will be built by the right people, with the right capabilities, enabling us to help build customers’ businesses in line with consumer desire for premium, world and craft.” To support the House of Beers, the brewer has already put in place a team of brand ambassadors for its Backyard Brewery, Grimbergen and Bad Apple brands. The ambassadors are supporting the growth of the brands across major cities and within customers’ on-trade venues through bespoke training, brand support, advice and events. Carlsberg UK also recently launched its ‘Crafted’ portfolio of 60 world and speciality beers and ciders into the on-trade, featuring beers from Hiver, Chapel Down, Rooster’s Brewing Co, Hitachino Brewery and Brooklyn Brewery.