Comptoir names former Leon managing director as new chief

The new CEO takes over from Jean-Michel Orieux.

Nick Ayerst has been appointed by the Lebanese and Eastern Mediterranean restaurant business Comptoir Group as its new chief executive.

Ayerst will be taking over from Jean-Michel Orieux, who has been interim chief executive since August. Orieux will revert to his role as an independent non-executive director.

Formerly the managing director of Leon, Ayerst was brought on board in 2022 to restructure its operations model. He has 15 years of experience in leadership roles at The Restaurant Group, and between 2013 and 2020, he was the managing director of TRG Concessions which operates restaurants, bars, and QSR outlets in airports, shopping centres, hotels, and stations.

Comptoir Group PLC owns and operates 26 Lebanese restaurants, 5 of which are franchised, and based predominately in the UK. The flagship brand of the group Comptoir Libanais is a collection of 21 restaurants located across London and nationwide, including key cities such as Manchester, Bath, Leeds, Birmingham, Oxford and Exeter.