Fri 30th Sep 2022 - Des Gunewardena leaves D&D London to pursue other ventures, David Loewi becomes interim CEO Des Gunewardena leaves D&D London to pursue other ventures, David Loewi becomes interim CEO: Restaurant operator D&D London has appointed its co-founder, chief operating officer and deputy chairman David Loewi as interim CEO, as Des Gunewardena leaves to pursue other ventures. Loewi and Gunewardena co-founded the business in 2006 from Conran Restaurants where they worked together. Loewi has since held the role of deputy chairman and chief operating officer, and he will continue to lead D&D London with the support of the existing management team. During Gunewardena’s tenure as chief executive, D&D London has expanded to own and operate more than 40 restaurants across the UK and internationally, including London’s Le Pont de la Tour and Coq d’Argent. The business has also made a number of new landmark openings in recent years, notably in Manchester, Leeds and Bristol as well as overseas in New York and Paris. D&D also owns South Place, an 80 bedroom luxury hotel in the City of London. D&D London is set to open its first venture in Birmingham on Friday, 14t October. Orelle, an 88-cover modern French restaurant, café and bar located on the 24th floor of 103 Colmore Row, will offer 360-degree panoramic views across the city. Group revenues were £163m for the 15 months since reopening post-lockdowns April 2021 to June 2022, with trading at 90% of pre-covid levels. The business achieved Ebitda of £17m over the same period. The business said it is continuing its post-covid recovery and looking to consolidate its position in the market. Loewi said: “Our restaurants are trading well as the UK leisure and hospitality scene recovers with workers returning to offices and business travel coming back. This resilience has enabled our group to retain a strong cash position and financial headroom. However, we are also acutely aware of the challenging economic environment, particularly for our industry in the face of inflation and skills shortages, and so remain pragmatic over the outlook for sector and continuously keep our operations and strategy under review. Des has been an important part of D&D London’s success and history, and we wish him all the best for the future.” Gunewardena added: “I am very sad to be leaving D&D which I love and have seen grow from its first restaurant opening over 30 years ago in its Conran days to the fabulous business it is today. Though I will now be focusing on existing and new ventures outside D&D I wish David and the management team every success for the future.”