Individual Restaurants strengthens leadership team

Manchester-headquartered Individual Restaurants has appointed Neve Rabbou as group sales and marketing director, joining the executive board as the latest in a series of strategic senior hires over the past year. 

The announcement follows a record-breaking Christmas trading period, with total sales growth of 14 per cent in December and a milestone sales high on December 13.

Neve brings over a decade of experience in hospitality, including eight years in board-level roles at brands such as Busaba and Le Pain Quotidien. She will oversee the group’s existing brands - Piccolino, Restaurant Bar & Grill, and Riva Blu - while also driving new growth, franchising opportunities and brand concepts.

Neve said: “I am thrilled to join Individual Restaurants during an exciting period of growth and investment, following a milestone year for the business in 2024. 

“I look forward to working closely with Andrew and the wider team on realising ambitions to expand the portfolio of world-leading restaurant brands, grow into new markets and bring new brand concepts to life.”

The appointment is part of Individual Restaurants’ wider expansion strategy under chief executive officer Andrew Garton, following a record turnover of £74 million in the financial year to March 2024. 

Andrew added: “Neve brings an impressive background in hospitality expansion and transformation to Individual Restaurants at an exciting time for the business.

“We have ambitious plans to expand into new markets globally, introduce new dining concepts to our portfolio and invest in new locations and Neve’s experience, complemented by a strong senior leadership team, will support us being a better and a bigger business in 2025.” 

Other key leadership moves include the promotion of David Carroll to chief business officer, Mark Window to group executive chef, and Selena Green to commercial and insights director.

David added: “In recent years, we have grown and developed significantly, prioritising investment in both our core estate and our people. 

“We’ve built a business that puts people at the heart of what we do and through taking the time to build our culture and people proposition, we have developed a strong team that has led to us being recognised as a Sunday Times Best Places to Work. 

“Welcoming Neve as the latest addition to our executive board will only help us continue to build the most talented hospitality team in the industry and we look forward to continuing to invest in our business and team in 2025.”

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