Patisserie Valerie director resigns with immediate effect

James Horler, the non-executive director of crisis hit cafe chain Patisserie Valerie, has resigned from his role with immediate effect.

The company confirmed the news and said Horler had stepped down to “focus on his role as chief executive officer at another business”. He has extensive experience in the hospitality sector and is the chief executive officer of 3Sixty Restaurants Ltd which has 16 Ego restaurants and pubs throughout the Midlands and north of England.

Horler joined Patisserie Valerie in 2013 and his departure follows a series of resignations and dismissals at the company since it was revealed that its former chief financial officer, Chris Marsh, was being investigated after “fraudulent” accounts were discovered.

The company then warned it was on the brink of administration after a £1.14m unpaid tax bill was discovered, but it was later given a £20m lifeline by entrepreneur and investor Luke Johnson.