Patrick Dardis to be named Young's chief executive

Patrick Dardis will be promoted to chief executive of Young's when Stephen Goodyear steps down in July.

Currently the pub group's retail director, Dardis has overseen Young's managed estate and last year also took over responsibility for Geronimo Inns.

During his tenure the estate has reported like-for-like revenue growth of 5% in each of the last four years.

Goodyear, who will remain on the board as non-executive director, joined Young's in 1995 and was made chief executive in 2003. His 16 years at the helm have seen the sale of the Ram Brewery, the creation of the tenanted Ram Pub company and the transformation of Young's into a premium managed house operation and hotel business.

Chairman Nicholas Bryan said the change represented a smooth succession plan.

He said: "Having undertaken a thorough review of potential candidates, including externally, it was very clear that Patrick, having been intrinsically involved in our success over the last 10 years, was the right person. He knows our business inside out, is already responsible for the managed estates of both Young's and Geronimo and is very well respected in the industry."

Dardis added: "Young's is one of the great names in our industry. It is an honour to have been asked to lead the business and, with the strong legacy created by Steve's stewardship over the past 13 years, I am very excited by what Young's can achieve in the future."
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