LEON announces the return of Chris Burford as chief financial officer, reuniting founder John Vincent with one of the key figures behind the brand’s growth. This move from John is a step toward building the leadership team following his reacquisition of the company at the end of October last year.
Burford first joined LEON in 2014 as director of finance, bringing with him deep experience in the restaurant sector following his time leading the finance function at Wagamama. Over the next seven years he became a central part of LEON’s leadership team, helping the business scale while protecting the principles that set it apart.
One of the defining chapters of that time came during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working closely with Vincent, Burford helped steer the business through an unprecedented moment for the hospitality industry, ensuring that LEON remained the only UK fast-food or restaurant chain to keep its restaurants open throughout the crisis. During the same period, Burford helped launch FeedNHS, providing thousands of meals to frontline NHS workers across the country.
Burford also played a key role in the 2021 sale of LEON to EG Group. Following the acquisition, he remained within the organisation and took on a senior finance role across the wider EG Group operations, gaining experience across a significantly larger and more complex international business. He most recently served as Chief Financial Officer at Boxpark, where he helped strengthen the company’s financial position and support its next stage of development.
Burford now returns to LEON following John Vincent’s reacquisition of the business at the end of October last year. As Chief Financial Officer, he will oversee the company’s financial strategy as well as managing property and the commercial aspects of the supply chain as LEON enters its next phase.
The appointment reflects a broader effort to reunite key figures who helped shape the brand’s original success, as LEON reconnects with the ideas and leadership that first defined Naturally Fast Food.
Vincent commented: “Chris was key to our successful growth to 2021 and was alongside me when we sold in that year. It is going to a pleasure to have my right hand man back because of what he is capable of and because of who he is.”
Burford commented: “I’m so excited to be heading back to LEON. Even though I’ve been away for 5 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.”
