Business appointments: Bibendum takes on Tragus non-exec

London-based wine merchant Bibendum has appointed ex-Café Rouge operator Harry Morley as a non-executive director.

Morley most recently co-founded Tragus Holdings, which purchased Café Rouge and Bella Italia from Whitbread in 2002. He left the company at the time of its very successful sale to Legal & General Ventures in 2005.

Morley is a qualified chartered accountant and had also acted as the wine buyer for Tragus. Prior to Tragus he had been group finance director at WhiteCross (backed by Apax); and spent six years at P&O. This is his first non-executive directorship.

Bibendum’s managing director Michael Saunders said: “We are very pleased that Harry has agreed to join the board. His knowledge of the on-trade, finance and the demands of a fast-growing business – as well as a tremendous passion for wine – are very welcome at a time when there are many exciting opportunities for the company.”

© db July 2006