LURGAN-born Colin Hughes has been appointed chief executive of Irish-owned pizza chain Four Star Pizza.

Operating from Dublin, he will be responsible for the leadership and strategic direction of the brand, overseeing all the chain's operations and developing and implementing business plans to maintain and grow its business in the Republic and Northern Ireland.

Colin previously held senior executive positions for numerous hospitality-based companies including Subway, Pret a Manger and Barburrito, as well as M&S.

A graduate of Queen's University with an Executive MBA from Cranfield University School of Management, he said: “I'm joining the Four Star Pizza business at an exciting time.

“This is a terrific opportunity to lead the brand to greater things, and we have ambitious growth plans to make this happen.”

Four Star Pizza Ireland opened its first store in Dublin in 1986, expanding to Belfast in 1999. Today it employs more than 1,000 people across 60 stores in Ireland, including 15 in the north.