Rose takes the chair at Italian fast food chain

SIR Stuart Rose has been appointed chairman of Coco di Mama, the London-based restaurant chain that specialises in Italian fast food.

The former M&S boss is one of the largest minority investors in the firm, which boasts two stores in the heart of the City of London.

Coco di Mama co-founder Daniel Land said: “We’ll open two more stores in the next six months and there’s the opportunity to open in shopping centres, airports and train stations.

We are also looking at other cities such as Edinburgh, Manchester and Leeds.”

The ex-banker added: “To have someone of Sir Stuart’s calibre on board is a real bonus. His knowledge of the sector is second to none.”

The year-old company is pulling in revenues in excess of £1 million and is already profitable.

Land and co-founder Jeremy Sanders hold about 60 per cent of the company.

Rose and restaurateur Arjun Waney are the most high-profile minority shareholders.

Land said: “The combination of our location and being London’s first Italian quick-service restaurant is driving growth.

“We employ 20 people and hope to increase this to 35 soon. And we’ve done all of this despite the difficult economic environment.”

Rose recently became chairman of discount fashion chain Blue Inc.