Amber Wood has been elevated to chief executive of New World Trading Company (NWTC) after the bar group’s restructuring last year.
The former managing director becomes the group’s first new chief executive since Jesper Friis stepped down in 2022.
NWTC runs 27 bars and restaurants across the UK, including its flagship brand, the Botanist.
In October last year, the company entered a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) and shut down three underperforming sites after rising costs led to an £11.7m loss for the year ending 31 March 2024.
NWTC reported a 7.4% increase in like-for-like sales over the 17 weeks to 27 July 2025.
The group has shifted its focus to the Botanist bar brand, introducing a refreshed menu and updated service offering.
NWTC reported that its flagship Botanist in Bournemouth has outperformed expectations, generating £1.6m in sales since its May opening, while converting its Furnace bar in Sheffield to the Botanist brand has boosted sales by 80%.
Wood said: “I am absolutely thrilled with the progress the business has made. The renewed energy across our brands and operations is down to the incredible hard work and dedication of our brilliant teams, and the response from guests has been fantastic.
“With the Botanist refresh, new openings and new offer we have built real momentum. I’m also delighted that our single-site brands are trading exceptionally well. The Oast House, for example, hit a record week in May, only to surpass it again in July. I am very excited to be leading the team into our next phase of evolution.”
NWTC has additionally named Jon Hire as its new chief financial officer.
He previously served as CFO at Steer Automotive Group and Student Roost, after a stint in hospitality as group financial controller at Enterprise Inns.
He succeeds Glenn Pearson, the former chief financial officer, who stepped down in August.
“I’m joining the business at a pivotal time, with transformation well underway, and I’m looking forward to working closely with the team to help steer the next phase of growth,” said Hire.