Mon 22nd Jan 2024 - Exclusive: Big Table Group appoints Kate Wilton as new Banana Tree MD, Anne Chow to step down Exclusive – Big Table Group appoints Kate Wilton as new Banana Tree MD, Anne Chow to step down: The Big Table Group, the Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge operator, has appointed Kate Wilton, formerly of Stonegate Group, as the new managing director of its fast-casual pan-Asian brand, Banana Tree. It comes as Anne Chow, who co-founded Banana Tree, steps down as its managing director after 28 years with the business. Chow, alongside William Chow, opened the first site in Maida Vale. They successfully grew the brand to nine sites in and around London before Big Table Group acquired the business in September 2022. Since then, Anne Chow has led the growth of the brand to 18 sites in just over a year, with two more launches planned in the first quarter of 2024. She will remain in an advisory capacity to the Big Table Group’s executive team on continued roll out plans for Banana Tree. The Epiris-backed Big Table Group said that Wilton, who take up her new role at the end of January, brings a wealth of experience in the hospitality sector, most recently leading the Slug and Lettuce brand at Stonegate, and prior to that, holding senior operations roles at Spirit Pub Company and Whitbread. Alan Morgan, chief executive of Big Table Group, said: “I’d like to thank Anne for an incredible journey with us. While I am very sad to lose her from our executive team, I understand entirely that she has decided to take some time to herself after 28 years with Banana Tree. Her work overseeing the growth of the business in the last year is an amazing achievement, especially as it was done while integrating the business into the Group at the same time. I genuinely don’t believe this could have been achieved without Anne’s leadership, passion and determination to continue the Banana Tree success story. Anne and I have been working on this plan for a while, and we’re delighted that Kate has agreed to join us at an exciting time, as Banana Tree continues to grow into a national brand.” Chow said: “After an incredible 28 years with Banana Tree, it is now time for me to step down and have a bit of a break. Spending time with my family and travelling are at the top on my to do list after the whirlwind of the past 18 months. Working with the Big Table Group and giving Banana Tree such a fantastic chance to grow to its full potential has been an immense pleasure and privilege and has been a great learning opportunity for me. I can’t thank everyone at Big Table Group enough for their support and their commitment to make Banana Tree a major national brand while keeping our core values and obsession with great Pan Asian food, warm service and happy teams. I will always have a huge love for Banana Tree and am so proud to have been here from the start all the way to this exciting point, but it is now time for someone with different skills to continue this adventure and take the business even further. I wish Kate Wilton and everyone at Banana Tree and the Big Table Group the very best for this next stage of growth.” Earlier this month, Propel revealed that Banana Tree is to make its debut in the north west later this year with an opening in Greater Manchester. The brand is to open on the current Café Rouge site in Salford Quays next month. Last month, Morgan told Propel he believes the company can grow Banana Tree to a “Las Iguanas-sized business in 18-24 months”. The company currently operates 50 sites under its Las Iguanas brand. Morgan told Propel: “I reckon we can get Banana Tree to a Las Iguanas-sized business in 18-24 months. And that will be a mix of new sites, which we are looking for at the moment, and conversions.” Banana Tree Restaurants features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book. Its turnover of £13,551,895 for the year ending 30 April 2022 is the 509th highest in the database. The Blue Book ranks companies by turnover, profit and profit conversion, listing directors’ earnings for the past five years. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Propel Premium for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or a supplier. The single subscription rate is £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com to upgrade your subscription.