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By Ian Walker and Rory Gallivan
LONDON--Pub group Greene King PLC (GNK.LN) said Friday that Kirk
Davis will start his job as chief financial officer Nov. 3, earlier
than previously planned, after leaving his role at J.D. Wetherspoon
PLC (JDW.LN).
The firm, which operates 1,900 pubs, restaurants and hotels
across England, Wales and Scotland, announced earlier this month
that Mr. Davis would join the company early in the New Year.
JD Wetherspoon confirmed that Mr. Davis' last day is Friday. He
has been its finance director since March 2011, after being
appointed deputy finance director in 2008. Mr. Davis has extensive
experience in the retail sector having previously worked in senior
finance roles at Tesco PLC (TSCO.LN) and Marks & Spencer Group
PLC (MKS.LN).
Mr. Davis is replacing Matthew Fearn, who has been absent from
his role since February with a long-term illness and decided to
step down so he can focus on his health.
In its statement Oct. 1, JD Wetherspoon said it has started the
process to identify an appropriate successor. No further
information has been given Friday.
At 0945 GMT, Greene King shares were down 9 pence, or 1.21%, at
735 pence; JD Witherspoon shares were down 8 pence, or 1.09%, at
769 pence.
Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@wsj.com and Rory Gallivan at
rory.gallivan@wsj.com; Twitter: @RoryGallivan
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