Sherwood brings experience from across the hospitality sector – he was COO at Wagamama and held senior roles at Nandos, Shake Shack, Burger King and Allied Domecq (part of Pernod Ricard).
The Morning Advertiser (MA) understands that Sherwood is stepping down from his role as managing director of Whitbread’s branded restaurant division.
‘Transform Stonegate’
Stonegate CEO David McDowall said: “I’m delighted to announce Nigel’s appointment to lead our Managed business as we continue to execute our strategy to transform Stonegate for the future. He is an established industry leader with significant experience in executing transformation strategies across well-known brands.”
“I would like to express my personal thanks to Carol Campbell for her significant contribution, commitment, and support during her time with Stonegate, and wish her every success for the future.”
Stonegate expects Sherwood to play a key role in driving performance and overseeing the managed estate and transition of sites under its Estate Transformation Strategy.
Transformation strategy
A key focus is the evolution of the managed business, which will streamline the number of pubs and bar venues it has in its managed division to around 320 pubs – from around 550 currently – by the end of FY26.
Over the past two-years, Stonegate has reshaped its 4,300-strong estate to create a “leaner, more focused” managed portfolio, which has seen the number of pubs within its managed estate reduced from around 800 sites.
In August, the group announced it had converted 200 managed pubs to its leased and tenanted and operator-led (Craft Union) models.
That month, McDowall said: “The managed business continues to be an important part of our overall Group, and we remain very proud of our core managed estate of successful pubs, run by outstanding general managers.”
“The success of our conversion programme demonstrates the importance of placing the right pub in the right model and highlights the power of entrepreneurial operators in driving community engagement.”
Last month, the group unveiled plans to offload 23 free-of-tie pubs as part of a portfolio review. A spokesperson for Stonegate said the transaction was “business-as-usual” and that “as the UK’s largest pub company, we regularly review our portfolio for divestment opportunities.”
