By Scott Wright

FORMER Aggreko chairman Ken Hanna has been appointed chairman of casual dining giant The Restaurant Group.

Mr Hanna, who left Aggreko following the completion of its £2.3 billion acquisition by private equity players TDR Capital and I Squared Capital, will replace Debbie Hewitt.

Ms Hewitt will leave the Frankie & Benny’s and Wagamama owner at the end of the year to pursue her new role as chairman of The English Football Association.

Mr Hanna has held a range of senior corporate posts during his career, including as chief financial officer of Avis Europe, United Distillers and Cadbury.

He has also been a non-executive posts of Tesco, Inchape, Shooting Star Chase and RMD Kwikform, and is currently chairman of Arena Events Group.

Mr Hanna, who will join TRG board on December 1 and take on the chairman role on January 1, said: “The short-term challenges facing the hospitality sector... are well known, but TRG has a strong and experienced management team and an excellent range of brands, which have emerged stronger from the pandemic.”