The Campbell Bewley Group may seek a stock market listing in three or four years' time. The group's chairman, Mr Patrick Campbell, said the company might float, but it would be a "means, rather than an end" and would be done if the company required fairly significant funding.

Mr Campbell said he would like to see more employee ownership in the group. At present Mr Campbell's family owns 70 per cent of the catering and restaurant group's shares, 20 per cent is owned by Granville, a British venture capital company and the remainder is held by staff.

A chief executive has been appointed to the group for the first time. Mr Michael Cummins takes up his post on Monday. Part of his brief would be to implement a five year plan and strengthen the Bewley brand name. Profile: Page 24.