Jamie Oliver Group CEO steps down

Kevin Styles is to step down as chief executive of the Jamie Oliver Group after nearly two and a half years.

He joined the company in 2022 from Vue cinemas with a brief to expand the TV chef’s media and licensing arm alongside his international restaurant business.

Styles was removed as a director of Jamie Oliver Licensing and Jamie Oliver Holdings on Companies House on 13 December.

A Jamie Oliver Group spokesperson said: “After nearly 2.5 years, Kevin Styles is leaving to focus on new opportunities. Together with his leadership team, he successfully put in place the five-year strategic roadmap, structure and key initiatives to significantly grow the business.

“The Jamie Oliver Group will continue to be run by its experienced ops board while a new CEO is recruited.”

During his tenure, Styles oversaw the expansion of Oliver’s international restaurant arm, which has over 80 franchise sites across 23 countries under brands including Jamie’s Italian and Jamie’s Deli.

The chef made his return to the UK restaurant scene late last year with the launch of Jamie Oliver Catherine Street in London’s Covent Garden.

A flagship Jamie Oliver Cookery School and Café will open at John Lewis & Partners’ store on London’s Oxford Street next spring.

In an interview with the Financial Times last year Styles ruled out the launch of another Jamie Oliver casual dining chain in the UK due to the “huge pressure” on mid-market restaurants.

“We’re going to be very strategic and targeted about what we do in the UK restaurant space,” he told the paper. “We’re not trying to execute a 30-40 site restaurant chain.”