Applegreen PLC has today confirmed the completion of a transaction to acquire the majority shareholding in Welcome Break. The move to take control of Welcome Break, one of the UK’s leading independent motorway service operators with 27 sites across the UK is in line with Applegreen‘s recent strategic operations. Applegreen is a major petrol forecourt retailer in Ireland, fast accelerating its growing market position in the UK.
The current Welcome Break CEO, Robbie Bell, will be departing the business as Applegreen seeks to leverage its existing management resources to lead the business following completion.
John Diviney, as Managing Director of Applegreen’s UK operations will take over management responsibility for Welcome Break, reporting to Joe Barrett as Chief Operating Officer of the group.
Robbie Bell, currently CEO of Welcome Break, will leave the group on 31 December 2018, in the interim helping to handover responsibilities to John.
Applegreen CEO, Bob Etchingham said: “We are grateful to Robbie for his support during the transaction process. He has been instrumental in providing continuity and stability to the Welcome Break business throughout this period. We wish him well with his future career and acknowledge his progressive leadership and change management abilities.”
Robbie Bell said: “The Welcome Break team should be proud of the business they have helped to build over many years. I look forward to seeing the business achieve further success under an ownership that has years of experience in the sector.”