Fri 14th Mar 2025 - Exclusive: Gaucho-owner Rare Restaurants hires Baton Berisha as new CEO Exclusive – Gaucho-owner Rare Restaurants hires Baton Berisha as new CEO: Rare Restaurants, the parent company of Gaucho and M Restaurants, has hired Baton Berisha, formerly of The Wolseley Hospitality Group and The Ivy Collection, as its new chief executive, Propel has learned. Baton, who commences his new role with immediate effect, was previously chief executive at The Wolseley Hospitality Group and managing director of D&D London. He resigned as chief executive of the Minor Hotels-owned The Wolseley Hospitality Group last summer, to “pursue new opportunities”. Berisha joined The Wolseley Hospitality Group as chief executive in autumn 2022, after earlier that same summer stepping down as managing director of D&D London. Before that, he was the chief executive of Richard Caring's portfolio, which includes The Ivy Collection, Caprice Holdings, The Birley Clubs, and Bill's. His operational experience also includes working with brands such as Morgans Hotel Group, Brompton Brands, and The Savoy Grill. David Campbell, chair of Rare Restaurants, said: “The shareholders and I are delighted to welcome Baton to the chief executive role at this key point in the company's development. His extensive experience as chief executive of several premium dining brands made him the standout candidate. I have had the pleasure of working with Baton at The Ivy Collection and witnessed his skills first-hand, and we look forward to him joining the Rare team.” Berisha said: “I am incredibly honoured to join Rare Restaurants at such a pivotal time for the business. The company has historically upheld a strong reputation for excellence and creativity, and I'm excited about the opportunities ahead to build on these solid foundations. I look forward to working with the talented team to drive the next phase of growth and innovation while delivering an exceptional experience for our guests.” Gaucho, which currently operates 20 sites across the UK, will open a new concept called Gaucho Go, featuring the brand's signature steak and chips, burgers and new dishes such as a “spin on the classic hot dog”, at the new Boxhall site in the City, next month. Last month, Martin Williams, who stepped down as chief executive of Rare Restaurants last October, was named as the new chief executive of D&D London. Williams will take up his new role at what is set to become The Evolv Collection, at the end of this month. Gaucho features in the Propel 500 report, an unparalleled resource that profiles the UK’s leading hospitality operators ranked by turnover – which is available free now to Premium Club subscribers. This comprehensive report provides more than 90,000 words of analysis, delving into company histories, leadership structures, site numbers and financial performance, making it an essential resource for industry professionals. A list of the operators included can be discovered now by visiting the Propel 500 page on Propel’s website. The guide is delivered in two parts: an introductory PDF, featuring deep dives into the top 25 companies and 6,500 words of insight from Propel’s expert writers, and a fully searchable Excel sheet, offering easy access to all the data. Key highlights include Mark Wingett’s exploration of mergers and acquisitions shaping the Top 500’s future, Tim Street’s view of the UK’s franchise market, and Phil Pemberton’s insights into experiential leisure as a hospitality cornerstone. Katherine Doggrell examines developments in UK hotels, while Mark Bentley, business development director at HDI, identifies emerging growth sectors, and Maria Vanifatova, founder of Meaningful Vision, analyses trends in quick service restaurants. 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.