The City Pub Group plc announced that Toby Smith, Chief Operating Officer, has notified the Board of his intention to resign and steps down from the Board and will leave the business on 27 January. The Board also announced that Rupert Clark, currently Group Managing Director and a member of the Board, will take on the role. Rupert has been an Executive Director of CPG for nearly 10 years and previously for the Group's forerunner; Capital Pub Company.

He has a vast industry operational experience and a real passion for the City Pub Group. Rupert has been instrumental in overseeing some of most complex projects and successes including the major refurbishments of the Tivoli in Cambridge and Aragon House in Parsons Green. Rupert has a keen desire to further premiumise the offer across all pubs.

The Board also appointed Chris Merriman, Group Financial Controller, as Company Secretary, with immediate effect. He follows Jimmy Dudgeon who served the Board extremely diligently for the last 10 years. The Company has also strengthened the senior management team with the appointment of Richard Myers as a Chief Marketing Officer.

Richard joins from Urban Pub Company, a similar sized company to the City Pub Group, and has great experience in the hospitality industry. His previous roles include being Head of Marketing at the Meantime Brewery. Richard will report directly to Clive Watson, the Executive Chairman, and will be part of the Senior Leadership Team.

The ambition is to further premiumise the pub estate to deliver additional organic sales and profit growth.