Searcys appoints Christian Rose managing director of retail
High-end caterer Searcys has appointed Christian Rose as managing director of retail as the company looks to grow this arm of the business.
Rose will be responsible for driving forward a number of new bar and brasserie style concepts that are currently in development, as well as expanding the existing Champagne bar offer.
Searcys currently has a number of retail operations at locations such as St Pancras station and both Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City, and the new appointment will see Rose tasked with stepping up the search for new sites.
With a wealth of retail experience gained from the premium spirits market and major restaurant and hospitality brands, such as Spirit Group and Albannach Brands, Rose joins from his most recent role as chief executive of independent gin distillery GJ Greenalls.
Greenalls was once a sister business to Searcys when both were owned by the Alternative Hotel Group (AHG), but the caterer returned to private ownership in 2010 after three years with AHG, following a management buyout.
During his time at Greenalls, Rose was responsible for relaunching the brand and for spearheading the company's transformation from loss-making to strong profits in just three years.
Commenting on his new appointment, he said: "Searcys has proven the popularity of the Champagne bars in some great locations and there is a fantastic opportunity to take that success further afield - both nationally and internationally.
"The company's huge catering expertise also means we are perfectly placed to launch a really appealing food-based retail concept and there are very strong plans in place for this already - I am looking forward to leading those plans to fruition."
Doug Tetley, chief executive of Searcys, added that the firm's strategy of driving growth and expansion in high quality catering contracts and premium hospitality retail projects remains unchanged.
He said: "With prestigious contract wins such as Blenheim Palace and the Royal College of General Practitioners, we have made great strides with the former, and the appointment of Christian will ensure that we build momentum in the latter area.
"With a wealth of experience of launching new brands to market and achieving international distribution for those brands, we look forward to Christian's contribution to the continued growth of Searcys."
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By Janie Manzoori-Stamford
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