Punch has announced that Giles Kendall, its operations director, is to leave the business after 16 years.

He said: “It has been a rollercoaster experience with, initially, Pubmaster and then Punch, but one that has been both incredible and unforgettable.

Punch logo“Punch and the pub industry has changed so much in a relatively short space of time, and it’s been fantastic to have been ‘in the thick of it’ whilst those changes have taken place.

“It really has been a fast moving, challenging but also an incredible place to work. The people I’ve worked with over the years have been amazing and I’ve made some great friends, but now it’s time to move onto another chapter for me in the pub industry.”

Steve Dando, interim chief executive at Punch, said: “On a personal note, I’ve worked with Giles for many years and I would like to wish him well on behalf of everyone in the company and the very best for the future.”