Comptoir Group Plc has announced the appointment of Nick Ayerst as chief executive officer, effective from next week. The group’s flagship brand, Comptoir Libanais, is a collection of 21 Lebanese and Eastern Mediterranean restaurants located mainly across London and cities nationwide.
Ayerst has more than 30 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and was previously managing director of fast-food chain LEON. Prior to this, Ayerst spent 15 years in leadership roles at The Restaurant Group, where he was a member of the TRG executive team. Between 2013 and 2020, he was managing director of TRG Concessions, which operates restaurants and bars in airports, stations, shopping centres and Hilton Hotels.
Orieux, who now reverts to his role as independent NED, has been interim CEO since August 2022, the same time that Beatrice Lafon joined the board as chair.
Lafon said: “We are excited to welcome Nick to Comptoir Group as our new chief executive officer. Nick brings over 30 years’ relevant experience in the sector, with the combination of skills and energy to lead the business through Comptoir’s next strategic growth phase.”