Richard Ferrier named chief executive of Heartwood Collection

Richard Ferrier has been appointed chief executive of Heartwood Collection, the operator of Heartwood Inns and Brasserie Blanc.

Ferrier joined Heartwood Collection from Zolfo Cooper (now Alix Partners) 12 years ago, and has since served as group strategy manager, operations manager of both the Brasserie Blanc and Heartwood Inns brands, and operations director for Brasserie Blanc.

He was most recently managing director for the group, having played a key role in guiding Heartwood to its acquisition by private equity firm Alchemy Partners in 2022.

Mark Derry, who previously worked with Ferrier as executive chairman of Heartwood Collection, will continue to support the business in his new role as non-executive chairman.

Ferrier's appointment comes amid Heartwood Collection's plans to develop "up to 10 pubs" this year, as well as launching its first pubs with rooms, the White Horse in Dorking, later this month.

Heartwood has completed the acquisition of four sites in the pubs with rooms sector, which will fuel the group's ambition to operate more than 500 rooms by 2027. It aims to achieve turnover of £133m.