Duncan Garrood steps down as Punch chief executive: Following the acquisition of Punch Taverns by Patron Capital and the sale of 1,900 Punch pubs to Heineken, chief executive Duncan Garrood has confirmed he has decided to leave the business. A new chief executive will be joining Punch in 2018. In the interim, Steve Dando, Punch’s chief financial officer, will assume the position of Interim chief executive for the transitional period. Duncan Garrood said: “Over the last couple of years Punch has undergone a transformation from a financially distressed business, through to the development of a customer service and hospitality focussed outlook and the roll out of a thriving retail model. Our shareholders have now received a substantial premium to the prevailing share price when I joined, and the business is transitioning to new ownership. It seemed to me the time was right for a new chief executive to lead Punch into the next phase of its development, and for me to look to my next challenge. I have often commented on my admiration for the superb team at Punch, who remain energetic and enthusiastic under every challenge they’ve taken on. It’s been an enormous privilege to be part of that team and I have no doubt they will continue to build upon their successes.” Stephen Green, director of Punch Taverns and senior partner of Patron Capital, commented: “On behalf of the company, I would like to thank Duncan for his service and wish him well in his future endeavours. The company will announce further details of the new permanent chief executive who will be joining the business in due course. In the meantime, we would like to thank Steve Dando, Punch’s chief financial officer, for agreeing to act as Interim chief executive until the new permanent chief executive joins the business.”
KFC UK turnover nears £500m: KFC UK turnover nears £500m: KFC UK has reported turnover rose to £479.8m in the year to 4 December 2016, up from £465.3m the year before. Pre-tax profit rose to £58.9m from £55.9m the year before. Like-for-like sales rose 1.4%. Gross profit margin was 12.6% compared to 12.2% the year before. The company has a strategy of tuning 94% of stores to franchise by the end of 2018.
