Punch re-organises leased division

The Punch Taverns leased division is dropping from four regions to three in the wake of re-organisation prompted by the departure of operations director Kevin Georgel, who is leaving to head Admiral Taverns.

A spokesman said: "We have decided to streamline existing reporting structures to create greater focus for our Pathway to Partnership programme.

"This means that we will be moving from four core regions to three core regions but maintaining the Turnaround Division."

Regional operations director Andy Hodgson has made "a personal decision" to leave the Punch business with David Wigham (region one), Ian Ronayne (region two) and Giles Kendall (region three) taking responsibility for the three larger regions.

Paul Pavli will remain as divisional director for the Turnaround Division, reporting to Ian Ronayne.

The spokesman added: "Pavli will remain a key member of the Leadership Team and will be part of the Leased Executive along with the other RODs.

"The next phase of our Pathway to Partnership implementation plan is the Punch Buying Club.

"In order to give this increased focus and more dedicated support, we are creating a new role of Director of Punch Buying Club and are currently recruiting for this position."

The central support teams of Partner Recruitment and Operations Support are being combined under one team structure, which will led by Suzy Jackson in an expanded role of Director of Central Operations and Recruitment.

The new structure will go live on 12 July 2010. A review is underway on whether to replace Georgel.