Whitbread names new chief executive
Costa owner Whitbread has appointed Alison Brittain as its new chief executive. She will succeed Andy Harrison who retiring in February 2016.
Currently group director for the retail division at Lloyds Banking Group, Brittain previously held senior roles at Santander UK and Barclays. She is also currently a non-executive director of Marks & Spencer.
Whitbread chairman Richard Baker said the company ran an extensive search and selection process to find Harrison’s replacement. He said: “Alison has vast experience in successfully managing multi-site operations with leading brands. She has a natural ability to inspire and motivate large customer-facing teams to deliver great service and her strong personal belief in the importance of putting the customer at the heart of the business makes her a perfect fit with our culture and values.”
Brittain will join Whitbread in January 2016.
Baker added: “Over the last five years, under Andy’s leadership, Whitbread has generated substantial value by getting bigger and better. With the announcement of our 2020 milestones we have laid out clear plans to get bigger, and Alison’s arrival will ensure Whitbread continues to get even better still.”
