Big Table Group appoints Las Iguanas managing director

The Big Table Group has announced the appointment of Lisa Gibbons as the new managing director of Las Iguanas effective from 31 July, following a review of internal and external candidates. 

Gibbons takes up her new role with over 20 years of experience in hospitality, having started her career in operational roles at Mitchells and Butlers before joining the Café Rouge brand in The Big Table Group in 2011 as an operation manager. 

In 2016, Gibbons moved across to Bella Italia as operations director and was then appointed to brand director in 2019. 

In September last year, the group, which also operates Banana Tree and Amalfi, restructured its business to “ensure greater focus on brand performance”. 

As a result, Gibbons took on the role of managing director of portfolio brands, responsible for Café Rouge, Amalfi and the group’s concessions and franchise restaurants, including its Center Parcs partnerships. 

Since the restructure, chief executive Alan Morgan has also held the role of managing director of Las Iguanas, but will now return to focus solely on his responsibilities as CEO. 

Following Lisa Gibbons’ appointment, Greg Gibbons will solely lead the Café Rouge team, John Baker will lead the group’s Amalfi and franchised sites in addition to his roles as Bella Italia managing director, while Anne Chow will continue to lead Banana Tree. 

Alan Morgan, CEO of Big Table Group, said: “I’m delighted to be promoting Lisa to the role of Las Iguanas managing director. She has overseen substantial performance improvement of the Center Parcs and franchise businesses over the last year as well as steering Café Rouge through some challenging times.” 

Gibbons added: “Las Iguanas is an amazing brand with a unique offering and I can’t wait to get started. There’s a huge appetite for the brand across the UK and I’m really excited to contribute to the continued growth of the business over the next few years.”