Gaucho Group hires Oliver Meakin as chief executive: Gaucho Group, the leading Argentine steak restaurant group operating the Gaucho and CAU brands, has appointed Oliver Meakin as chief executive. His appointment as chief executive will take place with effect from 29 January 2018. Meakin joins the Group from Maplin Electronics, where he served as chief executive from June 2015. He brings with him considerable experience in a range of sectors across retail and leisure (including restaurants), having previously spent time at both the supermarket Somerfield and steakhouse restaurant Miller & Carter, part of Mitchells & Butlers. Paul Mason, non-executive chairman of Gaucho Group, said: “After working with Oli at Somerfield I am confident he will bring not only his expertise in developing retail and food businesses to the role but also his trademark energy and hands-on approach as we continue to pursue our ambitious plans for UK and international growth. I am delighted he has joined Gaucho Group and look forward to working with him again.” Meakin added: “Joining Gaucho Group represents an exciting opportunity for me to return to restaurants, a sector which I am particularly passionate about. I believe there are significant opportunities for the Gaucho and CAU brands, which are recognised for offering fantastic Argentinian steak and customer-recognised, industry-leading service. I am looking forward to working with the highly-experienced and passionate Gaucho and CAU colleagues, to continue to develop both Gaucho and CAU, alongside the group’s experienced and supportive investors, Equistone Partners Europe.” The appointment follows the group’s UK expansion in 2017, which has led to a total portfolio of 16 Gaucho restaurants following the opening of new sites in Birmingham and Edinburgh. The group has also recently refurbished multiple venues across both the premium Gaucho offering and the mid-market CAU brand, which has 22 sites across the UK. In addition, the group operates restaurants in Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Argentina.