D&D London launches events and catering company with Lena Björck
D&D London has launched Alexander & Björck - a new events and outdoor catering company in a joint venture with Lena Björck.
Managing director Björck sold Inn or Out to Bartlett Mitchell last year after building it into a £2m catering business from scratch.
Her previous experience also includes catering for the Swedish royal family along with high profile guests such as Bill Clinton and the Queen.
Alexander & Björck will operate from its new kitchen in Chelsea and will run both intimate parties and corporate events for up to 500 guests. It will offer a range of European menus with a Scandinavian influence for distinctive events venues such as art galleries and historical sites.
Des Gunewardena, CEO and chairman of D&D London, said: "I have known Lena for many years. She is bringing to D&D the entrepreneurial drive needed to make Alexander & Björck a great success. Lena will work closely with Mark Ivackovic, our sales director, who continues to oversee sales within D&D venues".
Björck added: "I am really excited about embarking on this new challenge. The combination of my experience in running events and D&D's expertise in developing successful businesses will make a great partnership."
D&D London's events company Cinnamon Candy, which launched in 2011, has been folded into the new joint venture.
The restaurant group has 34 sites in total, most of which are in the capital, including Quaglino's, Le Pont de la Tour and Bluebird, as well as the newly opened German Gymnasium in King's Cross.
It operates in London, Leeds, Paris, New York and Tokyo.
