Simmons Bars names Jason Thorndycraft chief executive, with like-for-likes up 14%

Simmons Bars has hired Jason Thorndycraft as chief executive, Propel reports. He joins from Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Covent Garden, where he was managing director, and has previously worked at Drake & Morgan and Novus.

Where the business stands - 14 cocktail bars, all in London - Like-for-like sales up 14% year to date - Backed by investor Lonsdale Capital Partners. Roy Ellis, chairman of Simmons and of Mission Mars, chairs the board - The Morning Advertiser has reported that the business was bought by its founder-director and a private equity backer for just over £6m in a pre-pack administration deal in 2025

A settled top job Founder and chief executive Nick Campbell said in May that he was stepping away. Darren Rumbles, formerly operations director at Albion & East, stepped in as interim chief executive, followed this summer by chief financial officer Maddy Gardner, who joined from Soho House at the start of 2025. Thorndycraft told Propel he was looking forward to "building on the progress already made and exploring opportunities for the business to continue to grow".

What it means for operators: a post-restructuring bar brand trading at double-digit like-for-likes has now put a permanent, multi-site operator in charge, with investor support behind him. The chairman and investor both framed the hire around the next chapter of growth. London late-night bar groups should watch the pipeline.