Premium Bars and Restaurants poach Barracuda head of finance

Premium Bars and Restaurants (PBR) have snapped up Barracuda Group's head of finance Wayne Arthur to replace Craig Bell.

Arthur will join PBR once he has served his notice period at the privately held pub operator.

He has worked in the industry for 15 years holding senior finance roles at Whitbread and the Laurel Pub Company.

Mark Jones, executive chairman at PBR, said: "I am delighted that Wayne has agreed to join us and look forward to welcoming him to the company. This experience will be invaluable as we continue to grow as a national operator."

Bell will conduct a handover for his successor. He decided to leave the company in the wake of a decision last month to move its head office from Newcastle to Manchester.

PBR, which owns the Living Room, Prohibition and Bell and the Dragon brands, will retain a regional office in Newcastle and expects job losses to be minimal.

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By Christopher Walton

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