Wed 28th Dec 2022 - Former TRG chairman Alan Jackson passes away Former TRG chairman Alan Jackson passes away: Alan Jackson, the former executive chairman of The Restaurant Group (TRG), has passed away. Jackson, 79, worked for Whitbread for 18 years between 1973 and 1991 – he was one of the most respected executives of his generation. As managing director of its restaurant division, Jackson created and developed the Beefeater, Travel Inn, and TGI Friday’s brands. He founded the Inn Business Group in 1995 and grew it to 688 sites before selling it to pub operator Punch in 1999 for £69m. Jackson then chaired the Oriental Restaurant Group until its sale to Noble House in 2000. He became executive chairman of TRG in March 2001 at the invitation of then chief executive Andrew Guy. Jackson also served as the non-executive chairman of brewer Charles Wells and a non-executive director of De Vere and Regent Inns. Oakman Inn founder Peter Borg-Neal said: “Alan had a stellar career in our sector and I was lucky enough to be a friend of his over the last 20 years. We regularly met for lunch at The Akeman where I enjoyed picking his brains. We shared a love of our sector and of the countryside so there was always much to discuss. He will be greatly missed and my condolences go out to Lesley, Edward and Jeremy.” Bob Ivell, chairman of Mitchells & Butlers, said: “Alan was the creator and driving force behind the early growth of Whitbread’s restaurants division growing Beefeater, TGI and many other brands. He was the mentor to so many people in our industry, such as Tony Hughes, Andrew Page and myself. He was passionate about our industry and its people, always had time to help or give an opinion. He will be sadly missed but his influence will remain.”