East Coast Concepts appoints new MD

Manchester-based restaurant and bar group, East Coast Concepts has appointed Simon Kaye as managing director as it targets growth across the UK.

Kaye has a wealth of experience in the hospitality sector and will be responsible for accelerating growth of the brands throughout the UK and abroad. Prior to his most recent sector role as a consultant and non-executive director, Kaye was the chief operating officer of Intertain, which was sold to Stonegate Pub Co by private equity owners Better Capital in December 2016.

Earlier in his career, Kaye had held senior roles at S&N Retail, including the position of managing director of the Pubs West division, responsible for overseeing 750 sites. For the last 12 months he has also supported the UK Hospitality Operations Manager Awards as a mentor judge.

Kaye joins the company’s senior management team which is led by chairman Harvey Smyth, CEO and founder James Hitchen and finance director John Hammond.

James Hitchen, CEO and founder at East Coast Concepts, said: “Simon joins at a very exciting time for the business. We have recently launched two new Victors sites in Oxford and Alderley Edge and are gearing up for the next stage of our development.

“We have ambitious growth plans and Simon’s sector experience will be invaluable in helping us to realise them. He has experience of working with private equity and rolling out a variety of restaurant and bar concepts while still delivering exceptional customer services.”

Simon Kaye, managing director at East Coast Concepts, added: “James and his team at East Coast Concepts have created two stand-out, award winning brands at the premium end of their markets and I very much look forward to working with the team to help drive forward their expansion plans.”