Benito’s Hat Restaurant Group is not only opening in Oxford next week - its first beyond London, but has announced that a new managing director is to join the group.
The company is to welcome the former operations director of dim sum chain Ping Pong, Michael Pearson, who will take up the role of managing director from 1 November.
Pearson will take over from founder and chief executive Ben Fordham, who is moving to the US with his family to “pursue some exciting opportunities” after nine years running Benito’s Hat.
Fordham and Pearson will work together throughout November and December, before Pearson takes over at the start of 2018. Fordham will remain involved at board level as well as providing support to Pearson and his team.
Pearson will oversee the expansion of the group, which operates six London sites, with further high street and smaller format venues planned for 2018.