Non-exec chairman leaves M&B after five months

THE non-executive chairman and director of pubco Mitchells and Butlers is stepping down from the plc just five months after taking up the post.

Simon Burke took over the role in February from John Lovering who himself quit in January after just 12 months in post.

In addition, Birmingham-based M&B also announced today that Michael Balfour had decided to step down as a non-executive director.

Bob Ivell has been installed as an interim non-executive chairman and brings more than 30 years of experience in food and beverage industry.

He is currently senior independent director of Britvic, chairman of David Lloyd Leisure and a board advisor to corporate finance advisory firm the Delphi Partnership.

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Ron Robson, who has been a non-executive director at M&B since January 2010, has been appointed to the role of non-executive deputy chairman.

Mr Robson is a representative of Piedmont, a shareholder in M&B and investment vehicle for Bahamas-based billionaire Joe Lewis.

He is also a senior executive with Mr Lewis’ investment group Tavistock and was previously chief financial officer of its property investment and management asset management arm, Tamar Capital Partners.

M&B operates a range of pub chains including Harvester, All Bar One and Toby Carvery and last year embarked on a concerted strategy to offload its drink-led brands.

An interim management statement is due to be published next Thursday.