SSP appoints Richard Lewis as UK and Ireland chief executive: SSP Group, the operator of food and beverage outlets in travel locations worldwide, has appointed Richard Lewis as chief executive of SSP UK and Ireland, effective from 1 September. Lewis joins from brewer and retailer Greene King, where for the past two years he has been chief operating officer helping to drive sales, market share and productivity gains, and improve customer service. He will sit on SSP’s group executive team and report to Simon Smith, who moved up from the SSP UK and Ireland chief executive role to replace Kate Swann as group chief executive earlier this month. Lewis said: “I am excited to join SSP UK and Ireland and move into the travel food and beverage arena. SSP is a fantastic business with a great team and many opportunities for growth. I look forward to continuing the success Simon achieved in the role these past five years.” Smith said: “I’m delighted to welcome Richard to the SSP team. With experience in operations, commercial, property and general management, and a track record of delivering strong financial performance, he’s the perfect fit for the role.”

Anglian Country Inns appoints Philip Lay as non-executive chairman: Anglian Country Inns, the award-winning operator of gastro-pubs and restaurants led by James Nye, is strengthening its board by appointing Philip Lay as non-executive chairman. Current chairman Cliff Nye will remain active in the business at board level but said he wanted to add the wealth of experience Lay offers to the board to help “steer the business to the next level of growth”. Anglian Country Inns has more than doubled in size in the past five years and is now looking at how it can continue to build its estate during the next five years. Lay said: “It is exciting to join the team at Anglian Country Inns at this stage of its development. Like everyone, we have some challenges ahead but we have many more opportunities. I look forward to supporting James and Howard to take the business even further forward and appreciate Cliff putting his trust in me to take over the chair.” Anglian Country Inns operates ten sites.