Pub company adds industry expertise to fuel growth
The Cat & Wickets Pub Company has hired entrepreneur and hospitality specialist Edward Walsh as its new non-executive finance director.
The pub company, founded by ex-England cricketers Harry Gurney and Stuart Broad, which currently runs two pubs, is actively looking for new pubs. Walsh, previously chief financial officer at The Coaching Inn Group, will utilise his extensive experience in the hospitality sector.
The wider Cat & Wickets team includes operations director Jack Whitehead, product director Avril Gurney and non-executive director Lee Cash, founder of Peach Pubs.
“At a time when we’re looking to grow, the team is absolutely delighted to bring Ed on board,” said Gurney, managing director. “We have ambitious plans for the future and Ed’s knowledge, insight and wealth of experience will be invaluable and enable us to drive the business, and these exciting plans, forward.”
Broad added: “Both The Griffin Inn and The Tap & Run are going from strength to strength and we are looking for additional pubs to add to the group starting in 2025. We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Ed to the company to support our ambition to have at least five pubs by the end of 2027.”
Walsh said: “What Harry, Stuart and The Cat & Wickets team have achieved so far is really impressive. The sophistication with which they run business is far beyond what you would expect for their size and sets them up well for the future.
“Taking a business from two pubs to become a genuine multi-site operator is a notoriously challenging step, and I’m really looking forward to supporting the team through this next phase of their journey.”
