Jamie Oliver’s brother-in-law steps down as chief executive of group

Jamie Oliver’s brother-in-law Paul Hunt is stepping down as chief executive of the group after seven years in the role.

A spokesperson confirmed a new chief executive is expected to be appointed.

A statement said: “Paul Hunt was appointed chief executive of Jamie Oliver Holdings in 2014 to stabilise and reposition the business, which he has done. He also successfully navigated the business through the first phase of the Covid-19 pandemic. Following a strategic review, it was mutually agreed that the time is right to find a chief executive with global brand and technology expertise to lead the business into the next phase of its evolution.”

Following the high-profile collapse of the chef’s restaurant empire in 2019, his business now includes his TV, book and licensing arms as well as a cookery school in London. Jamie Oliver Holdings reported pre-tax profits of £4.1m with a turnover of £30m in 2019.

The restaurant side of the business entered administration in May 2019 with the closure of 22 restaurants. Around 1,000 jobs were lost across the Jamie's Italian, Barbecoa and Fifteen London brands.

The only restaurants from the Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group which survived the administration were three sites at Gatwick Airport, which were bought by SSP.

Oliver signed a 10-year deal with contract caterer Aramark in 2018 and has since opened Jamie's Deli at Aberdeen Robert Gordon University and at JP Morgan's offices in Dublin.