Kunick boss quits

The boss of amusement machines giant Kunick has quit after the group issued its second gloomy statement in less than a month.

Group chief executive Russell Smith has been replaced by Colin Daniels, who headed the Kunick Leisure business, including Bell-Fruit Games and Bell Amusements.

The group warned that its full-year results would fall "significantly short" of last year's figures, when it reported pre-tax profits of £6.27m.

However, it said the disappointing figures were not caused by the amusement machines business, which is performing "effectively and remains on track to produce a result broadly in line with the original expectations".

Chairman Clive Clague said the group was hit by the costs of expanding its other arm, Leisure Connection, which manages leisure facilities such as health clubs.

Clague said: "The board is confident that Colin Daniels, who has achieved so much with the amusement machine business, will bring the discipline and management expertise needed to put the group's profitability back on track."

Daniels, who has been chief executive of Kunick Leisure since 1992, has been involved in developing new hi-tech products such as the Midas amusement machine management system and the GamesNet intranet games machines.

Daniels said: "I am undertaking a thorough review of the group's operations and management controls."