Knight was promoted to the position last month, having previously held the role of managing director of Jamie Oliver’s international restaurant portfolio.

Now in its fourth year, next year’s Casual Dining exhibition will take place on 21-22 February at the Business Design Centre in London.

The event's organiser, Diversified Communications, said it would announce more high-profile names from the foodservice industry over the coming months, with 18 keynote speakers sceduled to appear.

Over 200 companies are expecting to exhibit at the event including Coca-cola, Heineken UK, Nestle Professional, McCain Foodservice and Budweiser.

Visitors are expected to include representatives from Mitchells & Butlers, JD Wetherspoon, Compass Group, Nando’s and Oakman Inns & Restaurants.

Armend Aljo, procurement manager at Oakman Inns, said: “I regularly visit Casual Dining, and each year it offers more in every aspect. It’s unmissable for new products, innovations and new ideas.”