LONDON (ShareCast) - (Sharecast News) - Comptoir Group announced the formal appointment of Chaker Hanna as its chief executive officer on Thursday, effective immediately.
The AIM-traded firm said Hanna, who previously served as CEO from 2010 to 2022, played a key role in the company's turnaround, public listing in 2016, and expansion.

It said his experience in the restaurant industry included leadership roles at brands such as Chili's, Pizza Hut, Bella Italia, and Maggiano's.

He also currently serves as non-executive chair of the quick-service restaurant chain Sandwich Sandwich.

With Hanna's appointment, outgoing CEO Nick Ayerst had stepped down from the board, although he would remain available for a short transition period before starting a new role in March.

Additionally, independent non-executive director Ali Aneizi had stepped down with immediate effect.

The board was actively searching for a replacement in the coming weeks, it said.

In conjunction with Hanna's return, Comptoir's founder and creative director Tony Kitous and Hanna had entered into a voting agreement regarding their combined 66% shareholding in the company.

Under the agreement, they would only propose board changes by mutual consent and would align their votes on director appointments and removals.

If they failed to reach an agreement, they would support the re-election of serving directors at the company's annual general meeting, and vote against any other board changes proposed outside of the framework.

The company said the agreement also included provisions ensuring that any future share transfers by Kitous or Hanna included similar voting commitments, except for limited on-market sales of up to 5% of the company's issued share capital to independent third parties.

"I am delighted that Chaker is re-joining the company as chief executive officer," said founder and creative director Tony Kitous.

"He was an instrumental part of the group's leadership team for many years and is ideally placed to steer Comptoir through the next phase of its growth journey.

"I'm looking forward to working closely with Chaker in the years ahead."

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.

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