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R&CA Welcomes New CEO

National President of the Restaurant and Catering Industry Association, Con Castrisos OAM has announced the appointment of Wes Lambert CPA, GIA(Cert), MAICD to the role of CEO from 13 May 2019. 

Outgoing CEO Juliana Payne is moving out of the role due to changed personal circumstances. “The last two years have been an incredible journey as we see the industry growing and changing rapidly in the digital and mobile environment. The Association is well placed to continue to support and develop Australia’s fantastic restaurant industry, which has seen the number of businesses and turnover double in the last ten years,” she said. “It has been a privilege to represent and promote this important sector of the economy that employs over 630,000 people.” 

Wes Lambert most recently served as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director for Velocity Group, a retail industry holding company based in the United States. Wes previously served as Executive Director, Secretary and Financial Controller for Pacific Restaurant Group Ltd (Kingsleys, ChopHouse, & Jamie’s Italian), Australia’s first public-unlisted Full-Service Restaurant Group, from 2007 to 2012, where he was responsible for the restructure and IPO of the Group as well as securing the Master Franchise Agreement for Jamie’s Italian in Australia/NZ. 

Prior to that Wes was an investment banker in Restaurant Capital before owning and managing multiple hospitality venues in Asia and the United States. He has prior experience with R&CA, having served on both the NSW and QLD Boards of R&CA as well as serving as the Treasurer of the QLD Board and has been featured in the R&C Magazine. 

National President Con Castrisos OAM said, “We welcome Wes’ depth of experience and industry knowledge at a time of great change in this sector. The Board and R&CA members look forward to working with Wes to continue the vital advocacy and strategic activities that are so important to the growth and development of this sector. 

“The R&CA Board thanks Juliana for her unflagging contribution over the past two years and wish her the best of luck and success in the future.” 

Taken from R&CA Media Release 6 May 2019