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Morning Briefing for pub, restaurant and food wervice operators

Wed 25th Jun 2025 - Valiant Pub Company names Mark McGinty as new CEO as Gerry Carroll transitions to executive chairman
Valiant Pub Company names Mark McGinty as new CEO as Gerry Carroll transitions to executive chairman: Valiant Pub Company, which operates community-focused pubs across the UK, has announced chief operating officer Mark McGinty will succeed Gerry Carroll as chief executive, who will transition to the role of executive chairman. Carroll and McGinty co-founded Valiant in partnership with Njord Partners, in October 2021, and have scaled up the portfolio to more than 90 pubs across the UK, with a notable presence in the north east, north west, Midlands and Wales. Valiant said the leadership evolution – which takes place on Tuesday (1 July) reflects its continued ambition and maturity. In his new role as chief executive, McGinty will oversee the overall operations and growth of the company. Carroll, in his new role as executive chairman, will focus on strategy, governance, and supporting the senior leadership team. McGinty’s and Carroll’s professional partnership spans more than a decade and a half, including senior roles at Enterprise Inns and the co-founding of Hawthorn Leisure in 2014. Valiant said it is supported by a “high-calibre” leadership team, including chief financial officer Jen Sloyan, managing director of operations Andy Parker and property and acquisitions director Matt Jackson. Valiant said: “This team will continue to drive the company’s strategy to build an industry-leading, community-centric pub company. The business is well-positioned to grow rapidly in the coming months and bring the Valiant experience to even more communities across the UK.” In February, Carroll told Propel the group’s plan was to get to “200-300 pubs eventually”, and had noticed a spike in opportunities to acquire sites from independent operators post the Budget. Valiant Pub Company features in the Multi-Site Database, the next edition of which will be sent to Premium subscribers on Friday (27 June), at noon. The updated Propel Multi-Site Database provides details of 3,421 multi-site operators and is searchable in seven main segments. The database features, 1,004 (29%) operators from the casual dining sector, 798 (23%) pub and bar operators, 586 (17%) cafe bakery operators, 475 (14%) quick service restaurant operators, 283 (8%) hotel operators, 221 (6%) experiential leisure operators and 54 (2%) fine dining operators. The database is updated each month, and this edition includes 22 new companies. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.

Kerb to launch sports bar concept in east London: Street food collective and hospitality group Kerb is to launch a sports bar concept in east London. Kerb Social Club will open in Brushfield Street, on the edge of Spitalfields Market in August. The space will span two floors and is being billed as a place where “American sports bar energy meets proper pub comfort, fused with an inclusive community buzz”. There will be three food residencies on the ground floor – fried chicken concept Only Jerkin’, Oh My Dog serving hot dogs, and Cutie Pies, which offers Detroit-style pizza and is new to London following a recent Brighton residency. Upstairs, there will be a terrace bar overlooking the market and five private rooms, featuring 100-inch TV screens, karaoke booths, gaming consoles, pool tables and darts. Abi Watson, general manager of Kerb Social Club, said: “Kerb Social Club is what happens when you take the spirit of a proper British local, mix it with the casual chaos and fun of an American sports bar, and give it an inclusive, modern Kerb twist. This isn’t about gimmicks – it’s a reminder that community hangouts really matter. And for us, opening our first Social Club in a legendary market like Spitalfields makes it even more special. It reflects our heritage, but pushes things forward.” Earlier, this week, Kerb revealed it was launching a new weekly market in nearby Leyton. Kerb is rolling into Francis Road every Saturday from 5 July. The market – supported by Waltham Forest Council – will bring a rotating line-up of up to 20 independent street food traders and local produce stalls every week from 10am–4pm. Since launching as a pop-up in 2012, Kerb has grown into an international operator of food halls, event catering and its own social enterprise.

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