Scott Macdonald leaves role as Polpo MD
The former Bill’s managing director joined the seven-strong Venetian restaurant group last summer, replacing Luke Bishop, who had been managing director at Polpo for two years.
It is thought that co-founder Richard Beatty has taken over Macdonald’s responsibilities in the short-term, according to BigHospitality’s sister website MCA.
Polpo declined to comment on whether Macdonald had departed or whether he would be permanently replaced.
Macdonald oversaw a consolidation of the estate, including the closure of sites in Bristol, Exeter and its Ape & Bird site in London’s Cambridge Circus, as well as abandoning a planned opening in Oxford Westgate.
It left the brand with six London sites and one regional restaurant, in Brighton. Sister concept, Polpo, which Macdonald also oversaw, closed its Cargo 2 site in Bristol, leaving its debut Soho venue.
The brand is due to launch at Heathrow’s T3 next month in partnership with TRG Concessions.
As joint managing director of Bill’s alongside Roberto Moretti, MacDonald oversaw the growth of the business with the opening of over 60 sites in four years.
Last month, chef Anthea Stephenson took over as head chef at Polpo’s sister Soho restaurant Polpetto, bringing a new menu inspired by time spent working at the likes of The River Cafe, The Jugged Hare and Sketch.
This story is based on information that first appeared on BigHospitality’s sister website MCA. To subscribe to its breaking news feed, click here
