Chris Burford returns to Leon as chief financial officer

Boxpark finance boss Chris Burford is to return to Leon as chief financial offer, a role he previously held in 2021. 

Burford initially joined the healthy fast food chain in 2014 as director of finance, following an eight-year run as finance controller at Wagamama. 

He was promoted to CFO at Leon in 2021 and played a key role in its sale to EG Group, before taking on the role of UK and Ireland finance director at EG Group later that year. 

Burford has since held roles including senior finance director at Asda Express and his most recent position as Boxpark CFO.

In his new role at Leon, he will oversee the financial strategy, and manage property and the commercial aspects of the supply chain. 

“Chris was key to our successful growth to 2021 and was alongside me when we sold in that year,” said co-founder and owner John Vincent. “It is going to be a pleasure to have my right-hand man back because of what he is capable of and because of who he is.”

Burford added: “I’m so excited to be heading back to Leon. Even though I’ve been away for five years, my love and passion for the brand have renewed.

“To have the opportunity to be part of its future once again is an honour. I can’t wait to get started, working alongside the incredible Leon team and of course alongside JV. Here’s to an exciting new journey.”

His appointment comes as Leon is undergoing a turnaround plan after Asda sold the chain back to co-founder and ex-CEO John Vincent in October, as he vowed to reinvigorate Leon and return it to its core values.

In December, the food-to-go chain appointed advisory firm Quantuma as administrators to “lay out options for the future of the company” in a bid to close loss-making restaurants. 

The restructuring will involve the closure of several Leon restaurants and a number of job losses.