New Corbin & King owner appoints advisory board for its UK hospitality portfolio

Minor International, the new owner of restaurant group Corbin & King, has appointed an advisory board to guide plans for its UK business.

The company said the board would oversee "strategic decisions" and help establish "continuity between the iconic portfolio of restaurants and hotels in the UK and [Minor’s] investment and growth plans".

Minor seized full control of Corbin & King earlier this month, ousting its founder, famed restaurateur Jeremy King in a move that prompted outcry from the hospitality industry. The group ran London restaurants including the Wolseley (pictured) and Brasserie Zedel, with Observer critic Jay Rayner describing the takeover as an example of the "faceless corporatisation of hospitality".

Minor has a portfolio of more than 3,300 restaurants in the UK and is also an investor in the Patara and Benihana chains and nhow hotels in London.

The advisory board includes:

• William E Heinecke, chairman and founder of Minor International
• Dillip Rajakarier, group chief executive of Minor International and chief executive of Minor Hotels
• Ian Livingstone, co-executive chairman of London & Regional Properties
• Evelyn Rowland Baring, 4th Earl of Cromer, former member of the House of Lords
• Mohammed Syed, head of asset management at Coutts, private banking and wealth management
• Edward Hubenette, board of directors, Minor Interational

Last week Minor said it had "no intention" to franchise any Corbin & King brands and was "committed to upholding the legacy of the restaurants". The company plans to resume development of three further sites in the UK.

“Now as before, our commitment remains to protect the jobs and ensure the long-term success of our restaurants and hotels in the United Kingdom through transparency, investment and careful planning,” said Heinecke.

“I am confident that our newly appointed advisory board will provide excellent guidance as we continue to sustainably build our British hospitality portfolio. It is our goal to protect and nurture the uniqueness of our hotels and restaurants as we transition into the next chapter of our business.

“We are thrilled to welcome such a distinguished group of industry and society leaders and look forward to working together to achieve responsible and balanced growth and longevity for the future.”