In a statement the company said the strategic move would enable Jones to dedicate more time to existing senior client relationships, develop future corporate strategies, and seek new areas for business development, while adding Lawson’s considerable executive experience in the retail and leisure sectors to the CH&Co board.
It added that Caroline Fry, chief executive of the group’s business and industry (B&I) arm and Alison Tyler, chief executive of the commercial arm, would report to Lawson and the new structure would support them as they built on the ‘phenomenal success’ they have delivered in recent years.
Jones said: “Stuart will bring a new impetus to the business and add considerable value to the exceptional work that Caroline and Alison deliver year after year.
“They have been instrumental in successfully building our business and now Stuart will help us realise our potential for further growth. For over 20 years we have implemented prudent expansion plans: firstly by building Charlton House as a champion of great food in the workplace; then by creating six sub brands to diversify and focus our efforts across a series of market segments; and more recently by acquiring Apostrophe.”
Lawson added: “It’s an exciting time to be a part of CH&Co and I am delighted to be taking up this new opportunity.
“The company has established a first class profile in the workplace, at visitor attractions and at some of the nation’s most prestigious venues. It is now expanding its national presence and onto the High Street.
“I am looking forward to helping this talented board move an already-successful business into the next phase of development.”
Lawson, who joined the business as a non-executive director in October 2013, said the main challenge in his new role was to propel the company into the next phase of profitable growth using his proven business improvement skills.
A qualified accountant, his early career included various finance roles with Diageo plc, before successful chief executive roles with Alldays PLC and SFI Group PLC and five years as a managing director/partner at KPMG.
Under the leadership of Fry and Tyler, the two arms of the company grew turnover last year by 26% to £97m and the company expects to break the symbolic £100m barrier this year by a considerable margin.
CH&Co founder Robyn Jones will continue to work closely with Tim to on further developing the business.