Caravan managing director departs for ‘new opportunities’

Jo Fleet has stepped down from her role as managing director of restaurant group and coffee roastery Caravan after four years with the business.

Fleet’s departure, first reported by Propel, comes as she looks for “new opportunities” after “a successful period of growth and development” for the operator, which runs 11 sites across London and Manchester.

The Caterer understands that a successor for Fleet has not been appointed and that there are no current plans to replace her role.

Chief executive and co-founder Laura Harper-Hinton said: “We have really enjoyed working with Jo over the past four years and are very grateful for all she has contributed to the business during that time.

“Jo played an important role in a key phase of our development, and her commitment, passion and contribution have been greatly valued. We will continue to build on the brilliant progress made in recent years and look forward to seeing Jo’s continued success in the sector.”

Earlier this year Harper-Hinton said that Caravan is planning to open two more branches “further north” than its Manchester outpost in the city’s St John’s district. The move comes after she and her co-founders Chris Ammermann and Miles Kirby completed a management buyout of the restaurant group last year.