Gordon Ramsay Group make two key appointments as exec chef departs
Gordon Ramsay Group (GRG) has appointed two former D&D London employees to senior positions within its business, at the same time that it emerged group executive chef Simon Gregory is leaving.
In a busy time for both arrivals and departures at the company, Amanda Dobinson is joining the company to become commercial director. She was most recently marketing director at D&D London and oversaw the group's marketing during a busy period for D&D which included the launches of Old Bengal Bar, South Place Hotel and the Crafthouse and Angelica restaurants in Leeds.
Meanwhile, Nicolas Grounin has also been appointed to the role of food and beverage director. He was most recently a senior general manager at D&D London, having previously worked as the food and beverage director at the Bulgari hotel both before and during its launch.
The arrivals came as it emerged that GRG group executive chef Simon Gregory was leaving the business. He is thought to have taken a role with Ace Hotel, however no-one from the business was available to confirm the move.
Commenting on the staff changes Stuart Gillies (pictured), managing director of GRG said: "Over the last few years we have been growing and developing our internal team at all levels with a new apprenticeship scheme to give us a new stable of talent within the group as well as some key management appointments to support our growth and expansion plans.
"While exec chef, Simon Gregory leaves us for pastures new, Nicolas Grounin joins us as food & beverage director. With previous experience at Alain Ducasse and D&D, Nicolas will be supporting all chefs and GMs across the group. Amanda Dobinson also joins us as commercial director. Amanda brings fantastic experience of the restaurant world and luxury retail to GRG with experience as marketing director at D&D as well as European retail marketing director at Polo Ralph Lauren. We are very excited to welcome these two key appointments who join us at a very busy and exciting time for the company."
GRG has also recently promoted Neil Snowball to head chef of Pétrus as Sean Burbidge leaves to take up a role at Caprice Holdings' Ivy Café.
