Tue 30th May 2017 - PizzaExpress appoints Jinlong Wang as new chief executive PizzaExpress appoints Jinlong Wang as new chief executive: PizzaExpress has appointed Jinlong Wang as chief executive, based in the UK, to lead the company through its next phase of growth. Wang, the current chairman of PizzaExpress and the acting chief executive of PizzaExpress China, will succeed Richard Hodgson, who tendered his resignation for personal reasons which was accepted by the board of PizzaExpress. Wang, a former senior Starbucks executive, has an exceptional track record in the sector, building global consumer brands and driving ambitious growth strategies. He has been chairman of PizzaExpress for the last two years, during which time he has built a strong understanding of the company, its unique identity, and its enormous potential. Wang said: “On behalf of the board, I would like to extend our thanks to Richard for his leadership and his contribution to our success over the last four years. We wish him the best of luck with his future endeavours. This is a hugely exciting time for PizzaExpress. We have a cherished brand, fantastic people, and a special heritage, but it is the enormous opportunity I see before us which excites me the most. Our 14,000 people and our customers will be my focus and together we at PizzaExpress will create an exciting and delightful customer experience that is second to none, and serves the communities in which we live and operate. Excellence in everything we do is what we aspire to. We have a strategy across all our 14 territories to transform PizzaExpress into a global brand. We will drive growth across all our markets through brand development, innovation and improving our customer relevance in each key market in which we operate. The UK remains central to our strategy, and continued success and investment there is the foundation for developing the brand internationally. I am greatly looking forward to the future as we embark on what is a truly ambitious programme for global expansion, underpinned by our people and our customers around the world.” From October 2005 to January 2015, Wang served in a range of leadership positions at Starbucks, including senior vice-president of Starbucks, president and chairman of Starbucks’ Greater China region, and president of Starbucks Asia-Pacific. Under Wang leadership, Starbucks created coffee culture in China and turned China into the second largest home market outside the US, currently operating more than 2,700 stores opening 500 new stores per year. Starbucks Asia-Pacific achieved regional records in business performance, brand loyalty, regional product launches and customer engagement. He began his career at Starbucks in the US as vice-president of legal and corporate affairs and vice-president of Starbucks international development, and previously worked as an attorney in Seattle and New York. Wang received his bachelor of economics and trade at the University of International Economics and Trade in Beijing in 1982, and his juris doctor degree from Columbia University School of Law in 1988.