Exclusive – Australian bakery brand Brooki Bakehouse plans UK launch after securing new investment: Brooki Bakehouse, the Australian bakery brand, which is famed for its viral social media following, is planning to make its UK debut later this year after securing new investment, Propel has learned. Founded in 2022 by Brooke Bellamy, Brooki Bakehouse started as a 41-square-metre bakery in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley and has since grown into one of Australia’s most recognisable dessert brands, with six sites across the country and four million social media followers. Brooki Bakehouse has now secured AED60m of investment from Arada, a property development company based in Dubai, to further expand in Australia and into the UAE and the UK. The transaction carried out by Arada’s hospitality and entertainment division represents Brooki Bakehouse’s first major external investment. Propel understands Brooki Bakehouse is working with One Voice Hospitality to find its debut site in the UK, in Central London, and hopes to open here this summer. In December, the business opened its first cookie pop-up store in Dubai, at Marsa Boulevard in Festival City, with plans to open its first permanent site there later this year. Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, group chief executive of Arada, said: “This investment in Brooki Bakehouse reflects Arada’s commitment to creating meaningful lifestyle experiences that connect people through culture, food and design, as well as our track record of investing in and expanding best-in-class Australian brands overseas. Our investment will enable Brooki to scale its reach into new markets, particularly in regions where Arada operates, including the UAE and the UK, while strengthening its base in Australia.” Bellamy said: “This transaction is about taking an Australian story to a global stage. We built Brooki from scratch — no shortcuts, no compromises – and now, with Arada, we have the platform and resources to share our creativity, quality, and community with the world.”

Premium Club subscribers to receive all 49 videos from Restaurant Marketer and Innovator on Friday, 13 February: Premium Club subscribers are to receive all 49 videos from Restaurant Marketer and Innovator on Friday, 13 February, at 9am. The videos include: Romy Miller, chief marketing officer at Knoops, sharing how the brand carved out a new category in the crowded drinks space, cutting through noise to create a cult following; Evie Horsell, head of communications UK & Ireland at Big Mamma Group, revealing how the team is rewriting the rulebook on restaurant launches; and Olivia Fitzgerald, managing director at 125 Data & Insights, speaking with Tom James, managing director at Bill’s, about how it became the first hospitality brand to invite its customers quite literally “into the boardroom”. 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.

Russell Danks to step down as Laine Pub Co MD to join Pure Gym: Russell Danks is to step down as managing director of Punch Pubs’ circa 55-strong Laine Pub Company, after three years in the role, to join PureGym, Britain’s biggest health and fitness club operator. Danks, who was Punch’s marketing and strategy director for four and a half years, took up the Laine role in April 2023. He also previously worked at Greene King and KFC UK & Ireland. Danks has been the driving force behind building a brand strategy for Laine designed around Generation Z – from community-driven experiences to social-first storytelling. He joins former Punch chief executive Clive Chesser at PureGym as its new chief innovation and communications officer. Chesser was appointed group chief executive of PureGym in November 2024. Punch Pubs & Co chief executive Andy Spencer said: “Russ has been an enormous part of Punch’s journey over the past seven years. His creativity, energy, and ability to bring people together have helped shape who we are today. From being the architect of our much-loved Pineapple to leading Laine with passion and purpose, Russ leaves a legacy that will be felt across the business for years to come. His leadership during the covid period in particular, ensuring our people were informed, connected, and supported through constant change, was truly outstanding. We are incredibly grateful for everything Russ has brought to Punch, and we wish him every success in his next chapter. He leaves with our thanks, our respect, and our very best wishes for the future.” The company said that Sam Barnard, current head of strategy and finance at Laine, will take interim responsibility for leading the Laine business whilst Danks’ successor is recruited. At the start of the year, Laine reported turnover rose slightly to £49,004,000 in the year to 11 August 2024, up from £48,363,000 the year before. Profit before tax rose to £4,190,000 compared with £3,673,000 the year before. The company has pubs in Brighton, London, Birmingham and Norwich.