Restaurant chain chief and hospitality industry expert James Horler has resigned as a non-executive director of Patisserie Holdings.

Horler is leaving the position with immediate effect, said Patisserie Holdings, “in order to focus on his role as chief executive officer at another business”. Horler is CEO of 3Sixty Restaurants, which operates Mediterranean-themed restaurants and pubs in the Midlands and north of England.

Horler’s career in the hospitality industry has included developing the Frankie & Benny’s brand and acquiring the La Tasca Spanish restaurant chain, which he grew from 16 to 74 sites.

“The board would like to thank him for his service,” stated Patisserie Holdings, which almost collapsed last autumn after a £20m black hole was discovered in its finances. The crisis was averted through a share offer and loans from chairman Luke Johnson.

Since then, the business has appointed Stephen Francis, former CEO of pork producer Tulip, as chief executive and former Starbucks boss Rhys Iley as its commercial director. Former Tulip MD José Peralta has been appointed director of food production and supply.