Creams CEO steps down as Pistachio Holdings ups stake

Creams has announced that Adam Mani, co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO), will step down from his position as CEO to assume the role of chief innovation officer.

The announcement comes as Creams’ majority shareholder, Pistachio Holdings, and co-investor, Salonica Maroon, have acquired a further shareholding from the brand’s founders, Mani and Balal Aqil.

Consequently, Mani and Aqil are moving away from the business’s day-to-day operations to focus their experience in “key” strategic areas.

Creams said Mani has been instrumental in developing the company into an “immersive and market-leading brand”. He will now put his focus on innovation across the Creams value proposition, from guest experience to new product development. 

Additionally, Aqil will step down from the board of directors and become an advisor, while Christian Chaumette has recently been appointed as chief operating officer (COO).  

Since the pandemic, Creams has opened more than 10 new restaurants and secured a pipeline of a further 15 sites opening in the next six months. 

Othman Shoukat, investor and operator at Salonica Maroon, said: “It’s exciting times ahead for Creams. As well as further growth in the UK, we are committed to international expansion with our franchisees. We signed our first overseas partner to open 22 stores in Egypt over the next five years and are seeking partners for new territories.”

Mani added: “Creams has always been at the forefront of guest experience and product innovation and the realignment of roles, and the strengthened leadership team, means an enhanced focus on this. Othman and the senior leadership team have done exceptionally well and will drive us closer to realising our aspiration of becoming the market-leading global dessert brand.”