REG - Hollywood Bowl Group - Directorate change

Hollywood BowlAnnouncement

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RNS Number : 0348I  Hollywood Bowl Group plc  20 November 2025

20 November 2025

 

 

Hollywood Bowl Group plc

("Hollywood Bowl", or the "Group")

 

Directorate Change

 

Hollywood Bowl is pleased to announce an update regarding its senior
leadership team. Having been the Group's Chief Financial Officer for 12 years,
as well as supporting the delivery of the Group's strategic progress, Laurence
Keen has informed the Board that he would like to explore the opportunity for
a more operational role and step down from the Board. Accordingly, Laurence
will be appointed Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of Canada. Alongside this we
are pleased to announce that Antony Smith will join the Board and leadership
team as Group Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") on 2 February 2026.

 

The appointment of Antony brings significant expertise to the Group with his
extensive experience in multi-site and consumer businesses. He recently spent
five years as Chief Financial Officer of Ten Entertainment Group PLC, the UK's
second largest ten pin bowling operator. Prior to that, Antony spent five
years as Divisional Finance Director of Wickes, under the ownership of Travis
Perkins PLC and in his earlier career he held senior finance positions with
Premier Foods PLC, RHM PLC and RAC PLC. Most recently Antony has been CFO of
River Island, the multi-channel fashion brand and retailer, overseeing a
strategic review*.

 

Laurence will take on the newly created role of 'Chief Executive Officer -
Canada', to help accelerate the Group's growth strategy and support the
development of the existing management team in Canada. The role will be for an
initial fixed term to the end of October 2026 and will report into the Group
CEO. As recently outlined to investors and analysts at the "Canadian
Opportunity" event on 3 November 2025, the Group continues to drive strong
returns through ongoing investment in its centres and the expansion of its
estate in prime locations in Canada and has an exciting pipeline of new
centres.

 

Laurence will move to his new role based in Canada, following the effective
transition of his responsibilities to Antony and accordingly will not stand
for the re-election to the Board at the Annual General Meeting in January
2026.

 

Stephen Burns, Chief Executive Officer of Hollywood Bowl Group, said: "I'd
like to thank Laurence for the immense contribution he has made during his
12-year tenure as CFO. He has played a major role in shaping Hollywood Bowl's
strategy and the 70 per cent growth of the Group estate since our IPO in 2016.
I am looking forward to continuing to work closely with him on the Group's
growth strategy in our Canadian business.

 

Following a thorough selection process, I am delighted to welcome Antony to
Hollywood Bowl Group. He will complement our strong leadership team, and I
look forward to him joining the Board in February 2026. He brings a wealth of
highly relevant sector and market experience and a proven track record in
leading finance teams and managing capital programmes, which will support the
delivery of our growth strategy."

 

*On 8 August 2025 the High Court of England and Wales sanctioned a
restructuring plan (the "Plan") for River Island Holdings Ltd (the "Plan
company") of which Antony Smith was CFO. The Plan company is the sole
shareholder of River Island Fashion Ltd and River Island (Ireland) Ltd, of
which Antony Smith is a director, and pursuant to the Plan, certain
arrangements with certain of its creditors were agreed.

 

There is no further information required to be disclosed in accordance with UK
Listing Rule 6.4.8(R).

 

 Enquiries:
  
 Hollywood Bowl Group PLC - via Headland

 Stephen Burns, Chief Executive Officer

 Laurence Keen, Chief Financial Officer

 Mat Hart, Chief Sustainability and Communications Officer

 

 Headland

 Rosh Field / Antonia Pollock

 hollywoodbowl@headlandconsultancy.com

 +44 (0)20 3805 4822

  

 

 

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