Tue 14th Oct 2014 - Breaking New - Tragus boosts management team Tragus boosts management team in re-organisation: Strada managing director James Spragg, who oversaw the Italian chain's recent sale by Tragus to Sun Capital Partners, is returning to his previous employer to be the new MD of Cafe Rouge. The French cafe chain's current MD, Peter Blake, steps down as agreed in a wide-ranging re-organisation of Tragus Group. Spragg has previously been MD at PizzaExpress and marketing director at Brewer's Fayre and TGI Friday's, as well as holding other senior positions at Scottish & Newcastle and Pizza Hut. Tragus is to appoint Andrew Walker, who led Pret A Manager UK for five years and is currently director of customer service delivery at Virgin Atlantic airlines, to the newly-created role of managing director – business development. Tragus Group's chief executive, Steve Richards, said: “These senior appointments bring to a close the re-organisation of Tragus and I’m delighted that the go-forward management team is now all in place as we embark on delivering on our growth strategy. The board and I would like to record our thanks to Peter for his hard work and dedication to the group. He has been instrumental in helping us restructure the business over the past six months, and has also led the evolution of Café Rouge in that time. I am pleased to be welcoming James back to the group. He is an experienced and talented operator who brings with him an impressive track record, having led Pizza Express and more recently having returned Strada to growth. It’s clear that Peter is leaving Cafe Rouge in very good hands. I am delighted that Andrew, who has very impressive and highly relevant experience, will be joining the group. His appointment is a significant development as we plan the future of our business and our brands.” Spragg will also oversee the Belgo bar and brasserie business. Walker was UK managing director at Pret A Manger for five years up to 2012, a period of significant development and expansion for the business, prior to which he held a number of senior roles including operations director, serving a total of 12 years with the company. His new role will see him head both new product development and new concept development, as well as capital investment and international franchising. He will also evaluate Tragus’s portfolio of brands and assist in evaluating wider market opportunities for the group. Spragg re-joins and Walker join as Tragus continues to seek to develop its operating brands and actively expand the number of restaurants it operates. The group recently hired three new acquisitions managers as it continues to target a significant number of new openings as part of its growth strategy. Nick White continues in his role of managing director for Bella Italia, which is currently undergoing an extensive brand refresh as well as a substantial growth by acquisition; 12 new Bella Italia locations will open this year and a further 26 sites have been secured for openings over the next 18 months. Tragus sold Strada to Hugh Osmond's SCP for £37m.