1st Dec 2025 07:00
Tortilla Mexican Grill plc
("Tortilla", the "Group" or the "Company") Appointment of Chair
1 December 2025
Tortilla Mexican Grill PLC ("Tortilla" or the "Group"), the largest and most successful fast-casual Mexican restaurant group in Europe, is pleased to announce the appointment of Duncan Garrood as Non-Executive Chair, with effect from 5 December 2025.
Duncan succeeds Emma Woods, who, as previously announced, will step down as Chair following four years on the Board.
Duncan currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Empiric Student Properties PLC. He brings significant leadership experience, having previously served as CEO of Punch Taverns, Bill's Restaurants and Ten Entertainment Group, and has held board roles as Chair of Small Beer Brewco and is currently Senior Independent Director with the Brighton Pier Group. He also adds substantial international franchising expertise from his time with Alshaya, BAA and with Eathos (Tortilla's Franchisee) in the Middle East. This combination of operational, board and global franchising experience will be invaluable as Tortilla enters its next phase of growth in the UK and internationally.
The Board would like to thank Emma for her leadership and contribution during her tenure as Chair and is delighted to welcome Duncan to the Group.
Duncan Garrood, incoming Chair, commented:
It is great honour to be invited to chair Tortilla, a brand I have admired for a long time and had the pleasure of working with, and to help the team steer through the next chapter of growth. I'd like to thank Emma hugely for steering the company from its IPO and I look forward to working with the Tortilla team and our investors.
Andy Naylor, Chief Executive Officer, added:
"We are delighted to welcome Duncan to the Board. His deep understanding of international hospitality and franchising will be a tremendous asset as we continue to deliver on our growth ambitions both in the UK and overseas. I would also like to thank Emma for her support and stewardship over the past four years."
Emma Woods, outgoing Chair, commented:
"It has been a privilege to serve as Chair of Tortilla alongside Andy, Brandon and the Board. I have known and admired Duncan for years, and with the business now well positioned for its next phase of development, including international expansion, I am confident that Duncan's extensive experience makes him the ideal person to guide Tortilla through this exciting next chapter."
A further update will be provided following the formal handover process.
Completion of the appointment is subject to the completion of customary regulatory due diligence checks by the Company's Nominated Adviser and a further announcement will be made in due course.
In accordance with Schedule 2 paragraph (g) of the AIM Rules for Companies, Duncan Steven Garrood (aged 67 years) holds / has held the following directorships / partnerships in the last 5 years.
Current | Previous in last five years |
EMPIRIC (LIVERPOOL HAHNEMANN BUILDING) LIMITED | SMALL BEER BREW CO. LTD |
EMPIRIC (GLASGOW GEORGE ST) LIMITED | EMPIRIC ACQUISITIONS LIMITED |
EMPIRIC (SUMMIT HOUSE) LIMITED | EMPIRIC (STIRLING FORTHSIDE) LIMITED |
EMPIRIC (COLLEGE GREEN) LIMITED | EMPIRIC (NOTTINGHAM FRONTAGE) LIMITED |
EMPIRIC (PICTUREHOUSE APARTMENTS) LIMITED | EMPIRIC (LONDON FRANCIS GARDNER) LIMITED |
EMPIRIC (TALBOT STUDIOS) LIMITED | EMPIRIC (LIVERPOOL CHATHAM LODGE) LIMITED |
EMPIRIC INVESTMENTS (TWO) LIMITED | EMPIRIC (LEICESTER WEST WALK) LIMITED |
EMPIRIC (EXETER LL) LIMITED | EMPIRIC (LEEDS MARY MORRIS) LIMITED |
EMPIRIC (LEEDS ALGERNON) LIMITED | EMPIRIC (HUDDERSFIELD SNOW ISLAND) LEASING LIMITED |
EMPIRIC (LONDON CAMBERWELL) LIMITED | EMPIRIC (HUDDERSFIELD OLDGATE HOUSE) LEASING LIMITED |
EMPIRIC (NOTTINGHAM 95 TALBOT) LIMITED | EMPIRIC (EXETER ISCA LOFTS) LIMITED |
EMPIRIC (GLASGOW BALLET SCHOOL) LIMITED | EMPIRIC (EXETER CITY SERVICE) LIMITED |
EMPIRIC (BATH JSW) LIMITED | EMPIRIC (EXETER BONHAY ROAD) LEASING LIMITED |
EMPIRIC INVESTMENT HOLDINGS (SEVEN) LIMITED | EMPIRIC (DURHAM ST MARGARETS) LIMITED |
EMPIRIC (FALMOUTH MARITIME STUDIOS) LIMITED | EMPIRIC (DEVELOPMENTS) LIMITED |
EMPIRIC (PORTSMOUTH REGISTRY) LIMITED | EMPIRIC (BRISTOL) LEASING LIMITED |
HELLO STUDENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (YORK PERCY'S LANE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (PORTSMOUTH EUROPA HOUSE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC INVESTMENTS (SEVEN) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (PROVINCIAL HOUSE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (BATH CANALSIDE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (BATH PICCADILLY PLACE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (GLASGOW GEORGE ST) LEASING LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (PROVINCIAL HOUSE) LEASING LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (YORK LAWRENCE STREET) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (FALMOUTH OCEAN BOWL) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LEICESTER 160 UPPER NEW WALK) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC INVESTMENTS (SIX) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (CANTERBURY PAVILION COURT) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (BATH OOLITE ROAD) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (BIRMINGHAM APARTMENTS) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (PORTSMOUTH EUROPA HOUSE) LEASING LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (YORK FOSS STUDIOS 1) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (MANCHESTER VICTORIA POINT) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LONDON ROAD) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (BATH JAMES HOUSE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (TRIPPET LANE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LEICESTER BEDE PARK) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (EDINBURGH SOUTH BRIDGE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (NEWCASTLE METROVICK) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (HUDDERSFIELD OLDGATE HOUSE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (CARDIFF WNDSR HOUSE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LEICESTER 140-142 NEW WALK) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LEICESTER 134 NEW WALK) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LEICESTER DE MONTFORT SQUARE) LIMITED | |
BRUNSWICK CONTRACTING LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (EDGE APARTMENTS) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC INVESTMENT HOLDINGS (TWO) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (READING SAXON COURT) LEASING LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (GLASGOW) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (ST ANDREWS AYTON HOUSE) LEASING LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (SNOW ISLAND) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (CLAREMONT NEWCASTLE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (READING SAXON COURT) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (NORTHGATE HOUSE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (ALWYN COURT) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LEEDS ST MARKS) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (FALMOUTH OCEAN BOWL) LEASING LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (GLASGOW) LEASING LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (BRISTOL ST MARY'S) LEASING LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LEEDS PENNINE HOUSE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC INVESTMENT HOLDINGS (FIVE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (BRISTOL CH) LEASING LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC INVESTMENTS (FIVE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LEICESTER 136-138 NEW WALK) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC STUDENT PROPERTY PLC | |
EMPIRIC (BIRMINGHAM) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (SOUTHAMPTON) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (BUCCLEUCH STREET) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (ST PETER STREET) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (CENTRO COURT) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (HATFIELD CP) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (EXETER DCL) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC INVESTMENT HOLDINGS (EIGHT) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC INVESTMENTS (THREE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (SOUTHAMPTON) LEASING LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC INVESTMENT HOLDINGS (FOUR) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC INVESTMENTS (FOUR) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (GLASGOW BATH ST) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (BRISTOL) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LANCASTER PENNY STREET 1) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LANCASTER PENNY STREET 3) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LANCASTER PENNY STREET 2) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LEICESTER PEACOCK LANE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (SOUTHAMPTON EMILY DAVIES) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (EDINBURGH KSR) LEASING LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (PORTOBELLO HOUSE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LIVERPOOL ART SCHOOL/MAPLE HOUSE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LIVERPOOL GROVE STREET) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LIVERPOOL OCTAGON/HAYWARD) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (MANCHESTER LADYBARN) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (OXFORD STONEMASON) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (ST ANDREWS AYTON HOUSE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (BIRMINGHAM EMPORIUM) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LEICESTER HOSIERY FACTORY) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LEICESTER SHOE & BOOT FACTORY) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (PORTSMOUTH ELM GROVE LIBRARY) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (PORTSMOUTH KINGSWAY HOUSE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (CANTERBURY FRANCISCANS) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (BRISTOL ST MARY'S) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (EDINBURGH KSR) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (EXETER BISHOP BLACKALL SCHOOL) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (STOKE CALEDONIA MILL) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (BAPTISTS CHAPEL) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC INVESTMENTS (ONE) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC INVESTMENTS (EIGHT) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (BRISTOL CH) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (MANCHESTER TH) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (CARDIFF WNDSR HOUSE) LEASING LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC STUDENT PROPERTY TRUSTEES LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (NOTTINGHAM FRONTAGE) LEASING LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (EXETER BONHAY ROAD) LIMITED | |
EMPIRIC (LIVERPOOL CHATHAM LODGE) LIMITED | |
THE BRIGHTON PIER GROUP LIMITED |
Duncan Garrood does not currently own any securities in the Company.
There are no further disclosures required in accordance with Rule 17 or Schedule 2(g) of the AIM Rules for Companies.
ENQUIRIES:
Tortilla Mexican Grill PLC | Via Eggmedia |
Andy Naylor, Chief Executive Officer |
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Richard Haley, Chief Financial Officer | |
Panmure Liberum Limited (Nominated Adviser, Sole Broker) | Tel: 020 3100 2222 |
Andrew Godber |
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Edward Thomas |
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Gaya Bhatt |
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Eggmedia Ltd (Public Relations) | Tel: 07710 571452 |
Ian Edmondson | |
Ross Gow |
About Tortilla Mexican Grill plc
Founded in 2007, Tortilla is Europe's largest fast-casual Mexican restaurant brand. With 81 UK locations (of which 15 are franchise stores), 22 in France (of which 9 are franchise stores) and 13 franchise stores in the Middle East, Tortilla offers authentic California-style burritos, tacos and salads.
Through the acquisition of Chilango in the UK in 2022 and Fresh Burritos in France in 2024, as well as franchise partnerships with SSP Group plc, Compass UK & Ireland and Eathos, the brand continues to expand globally.
Tortilla breaks the mould of typical takeaways, combining quick service with quality ingredients to serve affordable, made-to-order meals in under 90 seconds, in cosy environments fitting for lunch or dinner and a beer with friends. The menu is fully customisable - there are thousands of flavour combinations to try - with produce that's fresh, never frozen, 70% plant-based and vegan-friendly, higher welfare meats and free from artificial flavours or preservatives.
Emphasising sustainability, Tortilla only uses recycled and recyclable packaging, 100% renewable electricity and sends zero waste to landfill.
Headquartered in London and listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: MEX), Tortilla employs over 1,200 people.
More details at tortillagroup.co.uk
Related Shares:
Tortilla Mexic