Bass director takes over at Harvester

Bass Taverns has appointed a new commercial director to head the company’s sales and marketing, and is poised to restructure its marketing department after the takeover of Forte’s Harvester restaurant chain.

The Bass retail arm has recruited Michael Bramley as commercial director from Bass Brewers, where he was managing director for sales of Bass North.

He replaces Ian Payne, who has left to become managing director of Gala, Bass’s bingo club chain. Payne was made commercial director last October after Bass Taverns announced a shake-up of senior management. Managing director Tom Morkill and marketing director Barrie Craig were both axed.

Bramley will spearhead the 200m extension of Bass’ branded pub chains. The company is to appoint brand managers for the 79-strong Harvester Inns chain, which it has agreed to buy from Forte for 165m.