Wagamama CMO Simon Cope joins Byron Hamburgers as managing director
Byron Hamburgers has appointed Wagamama marketer Simon Cope as its new managing director.
Simon Cope is announced as Byron's new managing director
Cope will join Byron in July and sit on its executive board, focusing on marketing, food development and property.
He will report to acting executive chairman Dalton Philips while Byron completes its search for a new chief executive following Andrew Manders' departure earlier this month.
Cope said: “As the pioneers of proper hamburgers in the UK, Byron is uniquely well placed to take advantage of the significant growth opportunity that exists for premium brands in the UK’s casual dining market."
Cope joined Wagamama in October 2013 from pub chain Mitchell and Butlers, where he was marketing director. Before that, he was a brand manager at soft drinks company Britvic.
Wagamama and Byron are both owned by private equity firm Hutton Collins Partners, which bought Byron for £100m in 2013.
Phillips said: “Coming from within the Hutton Collins family, he brings with him a wealth of experience and great ideas, with a first-class track record of delivery."
Byron currently operates 69 stores across the UK, with 40 of those based in London.