Ambitious dining company appoints new managing director

The firm behind restaurant brands Neighbourhood and Victors has appointed a managing director.

East Coast Concepts is planning a major roll out across the UK with the backing of private finance and has appointed Simon Kaye to oversee the expansion.

The group, which is backed by mid-market private equity firm NorthEdge Capital, operates Neighbourhood in three city centre locations in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds.

Its other brand Victors offers is based in three locations in Oxford, Hale and Alderley Edge.

Simon was the chief operating officer of Intertain, which was sold to Stonegate Pub Co by private equity owners Better Capital in December 2016.

He has also 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.

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

James Hitchen

James said: “This is 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 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.”