Exclusive – Randalls hires Jonathon Swaine as new CEO: Randalls, which owns 44 managed and tenanted pubs based in Jersey, has hired Jonathon Swaine, former managing director of Fuller’s and Shepherd Neame, as its new chief executive, Propel has learned. Randalls said Swaine will assume his new role from the middle of next month. Swaine stepped down as managing director – pubs, at Kent brewer and retailer Shepherd Neame, in April, after joining the business in spring 2022. He has spent the majority of his career in the pub industry, initially at Bass (1997-2005) where he rose to national account manager (south) before joining Fuller’s for 14 years (2005-2019). During his time at Fuller’s he held various roles, latterly as managing director, Fuller’s Inns from 2012 to 2019, developing and growing the business significantly. He also spent three years as managing director, retail at the Rank Group. At Randall’s he will lead the team to “improve operational performance and create a future platform for growth”. He will be based in Jersey and his team’s immediate focus will be to invest in its pubs, people and systems. Watson, the co-founder of Capital Pub Company and City Pub Company, who was hired as Randall’s new non-executive chairman this summer, said: “We are delighted to appoint Jonathon. His vast experience in the sector and the calibre of roles he has previously held will be invaluable as we return the business to growth. Randalls, which is owned by the Greenalls family, has a wonderful collection of quality pubs with untapped potential. Jonathon and his team will ensure we unlock that potential and steer the company towards long-term success.” Swaine said: “Randalls is well positioned to deliver sustainable growth. I am excited by this opportunity and look forward to working with the team in Jersey to build on the strong foundations of the business.”

Gordon Ramsay to open UK's first Hell's Kitchen site at London’s Cumberland Hotel: Chef Gordon Ramsay is to open the first UK restaurant under his Hell’s Kitchen concept at the 900-room Cumberland Hotel in London’s Marble Arch, next spring. The opening is the first of the new partnership between Clermont Hotel Group and Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, which will see the latter open branded dining concepts across the former’s portfolio. Clermont Hotel Group operates 14 hotels across London and is the largest hotel owner-operator in the capital, with 5,000-plus bedrooms across brands such as The Royal Horseguards Hotel, The Clermont and Thistle. Inspired by the hit television series created by Michelin-starred chef Ramsay, Hell's Kitchen brings the “drama and energy of the show directly to the table”. Gordon Ramsay Restaurants Global said it has crafted an immersive dining experience that “captures the intensity of the series while pairing outstanding food and drink with world class service”. The menu at Hell's Kitchen London will feature a mix of signature favourites and new dishes. Guests will be able to enjoy Ramsay’s beef wellington, seared scallops and lobster risotto, along with desserts such as sticky toffee pudding and apple butterscotch cheesecake. Since debuting its flagship in Las Vegas in 2018, Hell's Kitchen has grown to eight locations across the US and Europe. The restaurants have served more than one million beef wellingtons and continue to draw fans in destinations including Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, southern California, Atlantic City, Washington DC and Ibiza. Ramsay said: “Bringing Hell's Kitchen to the UK for the first time is an incredible full circle moment. London is where it all began in 1998, so this feels like a real homecoming. Hell's Kitchen is about fire, theatre and bold flavours, and I can't wait to share the signature dishes guests love alongside new creations, developed especially for London's diners.” Pedro da Silva, general manager at The Cumberland Hotel, said: “We are very proud to be the first venue to welcome Hell's Kitchen to the UK. We look forward to offering hotel guests and visitors alike a taste of Gordon Ramsay's iconic dishes, all within our hotel.” Gordon Ramsay Restaurants features in the Propel Turnover & Profits Blue Book, which is available exclusively to Premium Club subscribers and features 1,163 companies. Gordon Ramsay Restaurants’ turnover of £95,620,000 for the year ending 27 August 2023 is the 134th highest in the database. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up. 

AA reveals new rosettes and award winners: Two restaurants have been awarded five AA Rosettes, while six have received four AA Rosettes at the AA Hospitality Awards 2025. The new five AA Rosettes are Forest Side in Grasmere, Cumbria, which is the first restaurant to achieve the top accolade directly upon opening, and Row on 5 in London. The new four AA Rosettes are Cedar Tree Restaurant by Hrishikesh Desai, Cumbria; Haar, Fife, Scotland; Restaurant Interlude, West Sussex; Forge@Middleton Estate, North Yorkshire; Solstice by Kenny Atkinson, Newcastle; and Source at Gilpin Hotel, Cumbria. There were a total of 13 new three AA Rosettes – The Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman's Rest, Northumberland; Skof, Manchester; The Horn of Plenty, Devon; The Greyhound, Buckinghamshire; Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa, Daventry, Northamptonshire; The Avenue at Lainston House, Winchester; Sushi Kanesaka (45 Park Lane), London; Melton's, North Yorkshire; Gorse, Cardiff; The Braywood, Berkshire; The Homestead Kitchen, North Yorkshire; The Three Chimneys, Colbost, Scotland; and Gravetye Manor, West Sussex. North west brewer and retailer Thwaites was named group of the year, Gareth Ward of Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms, Eglwys Fach, in Wales, took home the chefs’ chef award and The Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland scooped the sustainable accolade. Restaurant of the year awards went to Skof, Manchester (England); Joséphine (London); Gorse, Cardiff (Wales); and The Little Chartroom, Edinburgh (Scotland). The hotel of the year winners were The Cavendish Hotel, Derbyshire (England); 1 Hotel Mayfair (London); St Brides Spa Hotel, Pembrokeshire (Wales); 100 Princes Street, Edinburgh (Scotland); and The Old Inn, County Down Killeavy (Northern Ireland). The restaurant with rooms winner was Restaurant Interlude, West Sussex.