Yo! Sushi appoints new finance director

Japanese restaurant chain operator Yo! Sushi has appointed a new finance director to aid its aggressive expansion plans.

James Fowler joins the group from Whitbread’s group restaurant division, where he was also finance director.

Yo! Sushi, which was the subject of a £50m management buyout backed by private equity firm Quilvest in March, aims to increase its number of restaurants from 45 to 100 by 2012.

Fowler, who spent 13 years at Whitbread including a stint at Costa Coffee, said he was “very much looking forward” to his new role at Yo! Sushi.

“The brand has incredible potential both in the UK and overseas,” he said. “The company has a fantastic record of achievement since its launch and the future looks equally as exciting.”

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By Gemma Sharkey

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