11-strong pubco appoints former Stonegate boss
Private equity firm Rockpool Investments, which backs Epic Pubs, Heroic Pubs and Aspley Pubs, has respectively announced Rufus Hall and Jo Probert as chair and managing director respectively.
Hall is also the chair of Rockpool-backed Urban Village Pub Company and the Metropolitan Village Pub Company.
Probert previously worked at Stonegate’s Slug & Lettuce brand, as well as formerly holding operational roles at Orchid Group and Greene King.
Eight leasehold sites
The portfolio they now manage includes three freehold and eight leasehold sites across eight counties including London.
“We are building a pub company of really great British pubs with fresh, quality, handcrafted food and stand-out specials boards,” said Probert.
“We see our general managers and head chefs as at the front of the business-leading teams.
“We want our sites to be seen by customers as independent pubs at the heart of their local communities.”
Extravagant dishes
She continued: “We want them to be the first choice for local people to go to have a drink, a sandwich or enjoy more extravagant dishes.”
Both will be tasked with increasing pre-bookings across the portfolio, due to the private dining facilities available at the 11 sites, a statement read this morning (25 February).
The chain was previously run by Andrew Coath, managing director of management services company Unique Hospitality Management, on a contract basis.
Meanwhile, Rockpool has appointed former NHS and Orchid Group employee Lisa Burbidge as company secretary.
