Simon Cope resigns as CEO of troubled burger group Byron

Simon Cope has resigned as CEO of embattled burger chain Byron, with the firm's chairman Mauro Moretti set to take on the role.

The resignation, believed to have taken place on Friday, is one of a string of departures at the group over the last 12 months. In August chief operating officer Nick Young stepped down after a year in the role and in April Paul Coppin left the position of marketing director, to be replaced by Steve De Polo.

De Polo is one of two directors of the firm listed with Companies House, alongside chief financial officer Russel Hoare. The marketing director was listed in the role on 3 December, one working day after Cope is understood to have resigned.

A spokesperson for Byron said: "Simon Cope has announced he is standing down as Byron's chief executive as the company enters a new chapter of its development.

"Byron's chairman, Mauro Moretti, will take on the role as an active investor in the business to support Russell Hoare, Steve de Polo and Adrian Saunders in their effort to take the business forward to the next phase of growth planning the investment strategy for refurbishments, new openings and developing the brand further."

Cope will remain as a non-executive director of FaceGym, another Moretti controlled company which specialises in "non-invasive facial workouts, exercise and toning".

Cope was appointed as Byron's managing director in July last year after joining from Wagamama, where he served in the same role. He was promoted to the position of CEO two months later.

Turnaround has been quick at the top role in the firm, which closed several sites after agreeing to a CVA earlier this year. Cope was one of three CEOs to lead the company in 2017, following on from predecessors Andy Manders and Tom Byng.

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