Enterprise Inns names new finance chief

Incoming Enterprise Inns finance director Neil Smith says he is "thoroughly looking forward to working alongside Ted [Tuppen]" when he starts his new job in January next year.

Smith's appointment was announced today as the pubco revealed that David George, the group's current finance chief who has worked for Enterprise Inns since its inception nearly 20 years ago, is to retire effective of January 20, 2011, the date of the pubco's AGM.

Smith joins the company on January 3, 2011, from Compass, the food service operation. He previously worked for NTL, Telewest Global and Somerfield.

Hubert Reid, Enterprise Inns' chairman, said: "David has played a key role and has been central to the growth of Enterprise Inns since he joined the company at its formation in 1991.

"As a result of the successful refinancing of our bank facilities in May, we have secured our medium-term financing requirements and it is now an opportune time for a successor to be appointed. The board would like to thank him for his outstanding contribution and wish him all the best for the future."

"I am delighted that Neil has agreed to join Enterprise. We are pleased to have been able to attract an individual of Neil's calibre to the board and his many years of finance experience within consumer facing businesses will prove invaluable to the company."

Smith said: "I am very excited to be joining Enterprise Inns which is a resilient business, with a robust balance sheet and an exciting future. I am thoroughly looking forward to working alongside Ted and his colleagues."