New appointments for Adam Handling Group

The Adam Handling Restaurant Group has confirmed two new appointments to its senior management team.

Effective from 1 February, Handling has recruited George Hersey, formerly the group's general manager, as restaurant director; as well as Andy Downton as the company's new operations director. 

Hersey was in his GM role for over a year before the recent promotion. He originally joined the group in 2018, overseeing all East London sites, then taking responsibility for all of Handling's venues as group GM. He was instrumental to the opening of the brand's first restaurants located outside of the capital, leading the opening team at The Loch & The Tyne and Ugly Butterfly, also played a significant role in securing The Loch & The Tyne at number 27 (and highest new entry) in the Top 50 Gastropubs. Hersey remains a strong advocate for sustainable practices within the group. 

Downton joins as operations director, having worked with some of the UK's leading restaurateurs and hospitality operators - including as GM at City Social and restaurant director at Gordon Ramsay's at Claridge's. Downton has previously worked with group on the Young Chef Young Waiter competition. His new role will predominantly centre on driving business growth, reporting directly to executive director, Nicola Gartenberg, and Handling himself.

On the group's most recent appointments, Handling comments: "I couldn't be happier to announce the appointments of George and Andy. 2021 was a hugely exciting year for the group with the opening of two new venues, The Loch & The Tyne in Old Windsor and Ugly Butterfly in St. Ives, Cornwall and, as always, my group's progression plans are extremely exciting. This step forward is just the start. They share my vision for the future and expansion of the group and are both extremely talented. Roll on 2022."

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