Former Paul CEO named chair of Comptoir Group

Comptoir Group, the operator of the Comptoir Libanais, Yalla-Yalla and Shawa brands, has appointed a new non-executive chair following the immediate departure of Dr Beatrice Lafon.

Jean-Michel Orieux, who has been non-executive director of the Lebanese, Middle Eastern and North African restaurant group since August 2022, is succeeding Dr Lafon as chair, who has resigned from Comptoir Group after less than two years to “pursue other business interests”.

Orieux was previously director of food and beverage at Liberty department store in London’s Carnaby before becoming chief executive of Ping Pong and later chief executive of French bakery chain Paul.

Meanwhile, Ali Aneizi, who was corporate finance partner and co-head of leisure and hospitality at RSM for 18 years, prior to establishing M&A and private equity advisory business Tamweel Capital in 2013, has joined Comptoir as non-executive director.

Nick Ayerst, chief executive of Comptoir Group and former managing director of Leon, said: “I would like to thank Beatrice for her considerable contribution to Comptoir during an important period of evolution for the Group, and especially for her role in the rebuilding of key business foundations which suffered during Covid, the development of our current strategy and the recruitment and induction of our new senior management team. On behalf of the Comptoir team, I would like to wish Beatrice every success in her other ventures.

“I am delighted that Ali will be joining our board. He brings extensive professional expertise and deep industry knowledge having worked in the sector for many years, he will add real value to the future direction of the company.”

Orieux added: “The board and Comptoir team sincerely thank Beatrice for her leadership, challenge and contribution as chair these past two years. Her vision and dedication were instrumental in shaping our business transformation and we have full confidence in her continued success.

“Having worked closely with Beatrice in the last two years, I am confident that the business will transfer smoothly to the change of chair and new board composition.”

In September last year, the group opened its first site in four years in London’s Ealing.

Comptoir Group owns and operates 29 Lebanese restaurants, six of which are franchised. Comptoir Libanais is its largest brand with 20 sites across London, Manchester, Bath, Birmingham, Oxford and Exeter.

The business has also expanded internationally with its franchise partners HMSHOST with restaurants in the Netherlands, Qatar and Dubai.

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