Further setback for Just Eat as chairman takes medical leave

ONLINE food ordering business Just Eat has suffered a second senior departure in a month after its executive chairman John Hughes said he had to take a medical leave of absence.

Mr Hughes has been chairman for six years but only took on an executive role at the end of March when chief executive David Buttress stood down because of “urgent family matters”.

In Mr Hughes’ absence, which is being taken to “undergo treatment for a medical condition”, Just Eat said Paul Harrison, chief financial officer, would take on his executive duties as interim chief executive.

Meanwhile Andrew Griffith, who is senior independent director, will act as non-executive chairman.

The company is in the middle of a £240m deal to acquire rival Hungry House.

The Competition and Markets Authority accepted comments from interested parties between March 10 and March 24 and is set to make a decision by May 10 about whether it needs to investigate the proposed merger further.

In situations where one business is buying another, the competition authorities can insist on sales of a certain number of shops or branches, but neither Just Eat nor Hungry House own any of the restaurants they work with.

The shares slipped 1.5pc to 577p.