Punch Taverns appoints new CEO after restructuring

Pub and bar owner Punch Taverns has appointed Duncan Garrood as the group’s chief executive after the completion of restructuring of the company.

Garrood is expected to start at company around mid-June 2015. The new chief executive joins the company from MH Alshaya where he has been the president of the food division, since 2009, with broad responsibility across a retail division of 1,000 franchised outlets. Prior to his current role Duncan was Commercial Director of BAA, the airport operator.

Garrood has a strong background in the retail and leisure sector over a career spanning 31 years in Unilever, SC Johnson and BAA. Executive chairman Stephen Billingham will revert to the role of non-executive chairman when Garrood joins the group.

"Duncan is an exceptional individual who will strengthen the senior team at Punch. He brings a great combination of strategic and operational experience within major organisations. These skills will be invaluable to Punch's future development. I am delighted to welcome Duncan to Punch and look forward to working with him,” said Stephen Billingham, current chairman of the company.