Anne Chow to step down as MD of Banana Tree

Anne Chow is stepping down as managing director of Banana Tree after 28 years with the business.

She will be replaced by Kate Wilton, who will take up the position at the end of January.

Chow was involved in Banana Tree with co-founder William Chow, who opened its first site in London's Maida Vale almost 30 years ago.

The pan-Asian restaurant had grown to nine sites in London before it was acquired by Big Table Group in September 2022.

Since then, Anne has expanded the brand to 18 sites in just over a year, with two more openings planned for Q1 2024, including one in Salford Quays.

She will remain in an advisory capacity to the Big Table Group's executive team in regard to the roll-out of Banana Tree.

Meanwhile, Wilton joins from the Slug and Lettuce brand at Stonegate Group. She was also previously in a senior operations role at Spirit Pub Company and Whitbread.

Alan Morgan, chief executive of Big Table Group, said: "I'd like to thank Anne for an incredible journey with us. Whilst I am very sad to lose her from our executive team, I understand entirely that she has decided to take some time to herself after 28 years with Banana Tree. Her work overseeing the growth of the business in the last year is an amazing achievement, especially as it was done while integrating the business into the Group at the same time. I genuinely don't believe this could have been achieved without Anne's leadership, passion and determination to continue the Banana Tree success story.

"Anne and I have been working on this plan for a while, and we're delighted that Kate has agreed to join us at an exciting time, as Banana Tree continues to grow into a national brand."

Banana Tree was acquired by the Big Table Group in September 2022, as part of the Group's strategy to acquire high-quality, complementary brands with widespread consumer appeal. Nine new Banana Tree sites launched in 2023, in high footfall locations across London, the South East, Birmingham and Bath, and in February 2024, the brand will open its first restaurant in the North West, in Salford Quays.

Anne Chow commented, "After an incredible 28 years with Banana Tree, it is now time for me to step down and have a bit of a break. Spending time with my family and travelling are at the top on my ‘to do' list after the whirlwind of the past 18 months. Working with the Big Table Group and giving Banana Tree such a fantastic chance to grow to its full potential has been an immense pleasure and privilege and has been a great learning opportunity for me."

In September 2023, the Big Table Group acquired The Restaurant Group's leisure division, which included brands such as Frankie & Benny's, Chiquito, Firejacks, and Coast to Coast, for £7.5m.