Chris Burford has been appointed group chief financial officer at shipping container leisure business Boxpark.
Burford has over 25 years’ experience across private equity and venture capital-backed businesses in the hospitality, leisure, and retail sectors. He has recently held senior finance positions at Wagamama, Leon, and EG Group.
His appointment comes at a period of expansion for Boxpark, which has launched two new venues in Liverpool and Camden, London, in the past year.
Boxpark is set to open its sister social dining concept, Boxhall, in London’s Liverpool Street this spring.
Burford said: “I am hugely excited to be joining Boxpark, a fantastic established brand with heaps of ambition and potential. I am looking forward to playing my role in a fast-growing, dynamic organisation and overseeing the strategies and financial growth across the portfolio.”
Ben McLaughlin, chief operating officer at Boxpark, added: “We’ve had an awesome year opening new sites, building incredible guest experiences and doing what we do best with the Euros frenzy! But as we continue to grow, we need world-class leaders with the relevant skills to achieve our business goals. I am delighted to welcome Chris, who will bring a wealth of experience to the team and be a part of our journey here at Boxpark.”
Boxpark, which launched its first site in London’s Shoreditch in 2010, has since expanded with parks in Croydon, Wembley, Liverpool, and Camden.
In its most recent accounts, Boxpark reported a decline in pre-tax profits, dropping to just under £2.3 million from nearly £4 million in 2023.
