Home Money Former Pizza Express chairman Luke Johnson takes over crisis-hit Revolution Bars

Former Pizza Express chairman Luke Johnson takes over crisis-hit Revolution Bars

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Luke Johnson made his name growing Pizza Express in the 1990s and then ran Patisserie Valerie.

Luke Johnson made his name growing Pizza Express in the 1990s and then ran Patisserie Valerie.

A leading hotel entrepreneur has been appointed president of Revolution Bars.

Luke Johnson, who made his name growing Pizza Express in the 1990s and later ran Patisserie Valerie, will join the cocktail bar and restaurant chain as it pushes ahead with a cost-cutting mission.

Johnson, 62, has a 20 percent stake in the group following a recent request for emergency cash and will replace Keith Edelman, 74, who is retiring.

His arrival at Revolution, which operates the Revolución de Cuba and Peach Pubs brands, follows a difficult few years.

Patisserie Valerie went into receivership in January 2019 after a £94m black hole was discovered in its accounts.

Johnson claims he was misled by a fake picture of the group’s finances during his time as chief executive.

Revolution was forced to close several bars across the country earlier this year as it struggled to shore up its finances.

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