Island Poké founder departs following sale to Honi Poké

The chief executive of Island Poké has stepped away from the business, ten years after founding it.

In an announcement on LinkedIn, James Gould-Porter said: “What an incredible 10 years it’s been. From a small street food stand in West London to opening 40 locations across the UK and France - a journey we could only have dreamed of when we started.

“As a founder, this chapter has been one of the most challenging, rewarding and defining experiences of my life.”

He has hinted at plans to announce his next venture “in the coming days”.

His departure comes roughly six months after Island Poké was acquired by rival poké brand Honi Poké, which was founded in 2017.

The deal saw the addition of 18 sites to the Honi Poké portfolio, taking it to 45 locations across the UK and Europe, with 33 stores in the UK.

At the time of the acquisition, Honi Poké said it intended to operate its new sites under the Island Poké brand, but in a further announcement this month, it was revealed that Island Poké will evolve into a delivery-first brand, offering new evening bowls, sharing platters and group bundles.

An outpost of Island Poké on Bow Lane in the City of London will remain as its flagship store.

Under current expansion plans, Honi Poké will continue to scale as the group’s primary in-store brand, including through conversions of existing Island Poké sites.

The group has also appointed former operations director Hilary Brett as its chief executive, who brings experience from JKS Restaurants, MJMK and White Rabbit Projects.

Brett said: “I’m excited to step into the role of CEO at a pivotal moment for the business. What truly sets us apart is the exceptional talent across our teams and the relentless focus on product quality and innovation that continues to push our brands forward.

“With two distinct brands, each with a strong identity, loyal following, and passionate people behind them, this evolution gives us greater clarity in how we serve customers across different occasions - while remaining firmly rooted in the values that underpin everything we do. 

She added: “Working closely with Honi Poke’s founder, Volodymyr Martynov, our focus is on shaping the next phase of growth, including exploring franchise partnerships for Honi Poke in the UK and strengthening our foothold in France.”