Grand Union appoints new management team ahead of 2012 expansion
Adam Marshall (managing director and co-owner) will be joined by Tim Yates, Marc Rust and Anna Murashka who all start with the firm in January 2012, with Adam Saword (co-owner) stepping down as co-director.
The appointments
Tim Yates, finance director
“Grand Union’s plans for expansion are what attracted me to this young and dynamic company,” said Yates. “Having led one of the most interesting leisure acquisitions of 2011, I am confident Grand Union has what it takes to succeed in this tough market.”
Yates joins from Real Pubs where he was the finance director in charge of heading the acquisition of Real Pubs by Greene King for c £53m in April 2011.
Marc Rust, operations director
“‘I relish this exciting opportunity to work with one of the newest and most innovative independent brands in London,” said Rust. “Grand Union has a brilliant reputation for giving people a great day and night out and I am proud to be part of the company’s exciting future.”
Rust joins Grand Union from Jamie’s Italian, where he was Head of London Operations. He has previously worked for Tragus at Strada and Gondola Holdings for Zizzi & Ask.
Anna Murashka, group sales & events manager
Murashka said: “Grand Union has much un-tapped potential in the corporate sales market - I look forward to building this revenue stream for the company as it grows throughout London. It’s exciting times for Grand Union!”
Her previous experience includes spending six years at Novus leisure, working in a number of their high-capacity Central London venues.
Expansion plans
Grand Union enjoyed a successful year in 2011, with the opening of two Central London sites in Farringdon and Paddington. Turnover was up 61 per cent to £7.5m, compared with £1.8m in 2008. The independent group now has 10 venues in the Capital, with a view to continue its expansion.
The sustained growth is set to continue into 2012, with plans to open at least 3 sites in the coming year. Watch this space.
