Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s holding company has decided to reduce its workforce by twenty percent, despite his plans to make a comeback in the high street restaurant scene following the collapse of his Jamie’s Italian chain into administration six years ago.
Sky News has obtained information that Jamie Oliver Group, which is separate from the newly revived restaurant business, is letting go of 25 out of its 126 employees.
A spokesperson confirmed via email that the consultation process has been completed and provided details about the number of affected staff. However, the spokesperson declined to answer additional questions, such as the reasons behind the restructuring and whether the 25 employees have officially left the company.
The operations of the chef’s group include various media activities like digital content and collaborations with third-party partners.
Last year, Kevin Styles, a former executive at Thomas Cook and Vue cinema chain, stepped down as the chief executive of Jamie Oliver Group after serving in the role for just over two years.
The company’s spokesperson mentioned that Styles has been replaced but did not disclose further details. There was no public announcement regarding these changes on the group’s website.
The return of Jamie’s Italian to the British casual dining scene is being planned in partnership with Brava Hospitality Group, the owner of Prezzo.
Mr. Oliver expressed his excitement about returning to the high street as a chef, emphasizing the importance of driving menu choices, ensuring proper sourcing, staff training, and creating the right ambiance for the restaurant.
The demise of the chain in 2019 led to approximately 1,000 job losses and followed extensive efforts to find a buyer for the business.
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Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s holding company has axed a fifth of its workforce, even as he plots a high street restaurant comeback six years after his Jamie’s Italian chain collapsed into administration.
Sky News has learnt that Jamie Oliver Group – which is not connected to the newly revived restaurant business – is making 25 of its 126 staff redundant.
A spokeswoman confirmed by email that «the consultation [process] is complete» and the numbers of staff affected, but refused to answer further questions, including about why the restructuring was taking place and whether the 25 employees had formally left the company.
The chef‘s group operations include his media activities such as digital content and partnerships with third parties.
Last year, Kevin Styles, a former executive at Thomas Cook and the cinema chain Vue, stepped down as chief executive of Jamie Oliver Group after just over two years in the role.
The company’s spokeswoman said he had been replaced, but declined to provide further details, and no announcement about the changes was apparent on the group’s website.
The return to the British casual dining scene of Jamie’s Italian is being orchestrated through a partnership with Brava Hospitality Group, the owner of Prezzo.
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«As a chef, having the chance to return to the high street is incredibly important to me,» Mr Oliver said last week.
«I will drive the menus, make sure the sourcing is right, the staff training, and ensure the look and feel of the restaurant is brought to life in the right way.»
The chain’s demise in 2019 resulted in about 1,000 job losses and came after frantic efforts to find a buyer for the business.
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