Various Eateries PLC, the owner, developer and operator of all day club, restaurant and hotel sites in the United Kingdom, announces that Oli Williams has confirmed he is to step down as Chief Financial Officer and director of the Company with effect from 11 November 2022 to pursue other opportunities.
James Darwent will replace him as CFO on an interim basis (a non-board position), starting with the Company on 26 September 2022. To ensure a smooth transition, Oli will continue to work alongside James for the remainder of his time at the Company.
In a career spanning over 15 years, James has held senior finance roles in private equity-backed businesses with a particular focus on retail and hospitality including Group Finance Director at award-winning global restaurant business Azumi, Global Head of Finance at international retail brand AllSaints, and Finance Director at leading UK restaurant company, The Big Table Group. James is experienced in financial and management reporting and has played an important role in implementing a variety of corporate strategies with a view to delivering growth in shareholder value.
Oli joined Various Eateries in 2018. He has since played an integral role in the Company's successful listing on AIM, a market of the London Stock Exchange and has been instrumental in navigating the pandemic while strengthening the finance function of the business.
The Company has commenced a formal search process for a permanent CFO and will provide an update at the appropriate time.
Andy Bassadone, Executive Chairman of Various Eateries, said: "Oli has played an important role in the development of the business over the last few years. First in helping us prepare for and make the transition to becoming a listed company, secondly in his decisive management of the challenges posed by Covid, and thirdly in putting the right systems and processes in place to enable us to scale and meet our growth ambitions for years to come. On behalf of the Board and our colleagues, I would like to thank him for his contribution.
At the same time, the Board and I would like to welcome James to the team. He brings a wealth of knowledge and relevant experience with him which will help facilitate the future progress of the business. I look forward to working with James as we continue to execute on our expansion strategy."
Oli Williams, outgoing Chief Financial Officer, said: "Since I joined Various Eateries, the Company has made significant progress, despite the obstacles posed by the pandemic, and is now primed to deliver on its expansion plans. It has been a privilege to lead the finance team over the past four years - through our IPO and in rising to the challenges in the period that followed - and I will look back on my time at the business fondly. The Company has a host of opportunities and a bright long-term future ahead of it."
James Darwent, incoming Interim Chief Financial Officer, added: "Various Eateries' proposition is a compelling one and, with the Group now making encouraging headway in its expansion plans, this is an exciting time to be joining the team. I look forward to getting started and contributing to the continued success of the business."
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