Leon hires former McDonald's executive as managing director

Healthy fast-food restaurant chain Leon has appointed former McDonald's senior director John Upton as its managing director.

Upton, who spend more than 13 years at McDonald's UK, is tasked with boosting Leon's senior leadership team in the areas of people management, operational support and supply chain.

Leon chief executive John Vincent said: "John Upton will bring more method to our magic. We want to create a company we'd be happy to pass on to our grandchildren, and John's huge experience and strength of character are going to help us grow up big and strong."

Upton said: "This is an incredibly exciting time to join the Leon family. I was personally drawn to the brand by both the delicious food and its core mission of helping everyone to eat and live well. I also really like Leon's disruptive and optimistic attitude; it innovates, bucks trends and places huge store on developing its people and helping them achieve their goals. It is a testament to this that 38% of its head office team have been promoted from the kitchen floor.

"I feel fortunate to join a company with such a rich people culture; my role will be focused on how we can support and develop our people even more and, importantly, to delight our customers each and every time they visit us. Keeping everything we do simple, easy and enjoyable for both our people and our customers will be a key priority for me."

Leon, founded in Carnaby Street in 2004, has been expanding rapidly, opening 11 new sites in 2015. It currently has 35 sites with two more, in London's Moorgate and Eastcastle Street coming soon.

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