Former Somerfield chief executive David Simons has taken over from Nader Haghighi at the helm of Warrington-based Parisa Group. Simons, who left Somerfield after overseeing its disastrous purchase of Kwik Save, now has full executive responsibility for Parisa's 60-strong Right Choice convenience chain, as well as more than 400 off licences, 22 cafe bars and one restaurant. He said: "My career has been about practical retailing and finding practical solutions, which I will continue to do as executive chairman of Parisa, commuting from my base in Bristol to Warrington on a weekly basis." He added that he would continue the work of his Egmont consultancy, which provides retail clients from Boots to Tesco with a variety of consultancy services on issues such as change management, in tandem with his new role. He said: "It is best to let go of the past when you move on. I have no idea how Somerfield is performing at the moment, apart from seeing the odd truck pass on the motorway." Simons joined the Parisa Group, which has an annual turnover of some £200m, as Haghighi stepped down to prepare to buy out Parisa's Café Bar division. Simons will shortly be formally appointed executive chairman. Haghighi, voted Ernst and Young north-west Entrepreneur of the Year 2000, said: "I am already a substantial shareholder and I stepped down to avoid conflict of interest as I proceed with acquiring further shareholding from venture capitalists in the on-trade business." He added his priority will be to expand the Café Bar business and maximise its potential if he is successful in the buy out. He said: "I am working against the clock to raise funds at the moment." {{NEWS }}

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