Operations director swaps Ivy Collection for Evolv Collection

Gavin Gosnell has joined the Evolv Collection as operations director as the restaurant group targets over 100 venues globally by 2030.

He has joined from the Ivy Collection, where he was operations director for nearly three years, with oversight across the Ivy, Ivy Market Grill and Ivy Club brands in the South and South West.

He also spent close to nine years as general manager of Novus Leisure, overseeing venues such as Tiger Tiger Manchester and Tiger Tiger Leeds.

Gosnell said: “I’m thrilled to be joining the Evolv Collection at such an exciting point in its journey. The group has an outstanding portfolio, a clear strategic vision, and genuine ambition, the perfect environment to deliver meaningful operational impact at scale. I look forward to working with the leadership team and workforce to drive EBITDA growth, raise operational standards, and build the kind of high-performance culture that sustains long-term success.”

Chief executive Martin Williams added: “Gavin’s appointment is a significant moment for the Evolv Collection. He brings exactly the calibre of operational leadership that a group at our stage of growth demands, someone who has operated at scale in premium environments, who builds teams that take ownership, and who can hold brand standards, guest experience and financial performance in balance simultaneously. Gavin joins [marketing director] Lara [Bugle] in a strengthened leadership team that gives me enormous confidence in our next chapter.”

In recent months, Williams has been pursuing a strategy of developing key brands within the Evolv Collection, including Bluebird, Stories, Sartoria and Chop House & Tavern.

Earlier this month, it announced that the Chop House & Tavern concept, created in partnership with Mike Reid, the former culinary director at Rare Restaurants, will be expanding into Birmingham and New York, following its debut last September in London’s Liverpool Street.

Last month, the group also opened Orrery by Pierre Minotti in London’s Marylebone following an extensive refurbishment.

The Evolv Collection operates sites across London, Manchester, Birmingham and New York.

It formerly operated as D&D London but rebranded as Evolv Collection in April 2025.

Williams, former Rare Restaurants boss, joined the collection as chief executive in February 2025.