Former Pizza Express chairman Luke Johnson takes over at struggling Revolution Bars

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

A leading hospitality entrepreneur has been named chairmanof 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, holds a 20 per cent stake in the group following a recent emergency cash call and will take over from Keith Edelman, 74, who is retiring. 

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

Patisserie Valerie crashed into administration in January 2019 after the discovery of a £94million black hole in its accounts. 

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

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

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