A top chef has picked a Cumbrian restaurant director for a leading role in his business empire.

Sam Ward, 34, has been named as managing director of Simon Rogan's UMBEL Restaurant Group.

Formerly the group’s operations director, Sam will oversee its eight-strong restaurant portfolio in Cumbria, London and Hong Kong.

Sam grew up in Grange just a mile from Cartmel, the main home of Simon Rogan’s Lake District restaurants.

He began his career with the group at the age of 22 as bar manager, before moving to London to work as a sommelier at The Ritz.

Sam said: “Working for a company home-grown in the Lake District, the place where I grew up and where I still have a huge passion for, has been a dream for me. There is a real buzz in the company at the moment and we have carved some strong business partnerships over the past few years. There’s still so much we want to achieve.”

After two years in London, Sam returned to The Lakes where he took on the position of Maitre’d at L’Enclume.

In 2015 Sam was appointed operations manager of the group and operations director three years later.

Most recently, Sam led the high-profile international opening of Roganic and Aulis in Hong Kong and worked closely with Simon on the opening of Henrock restaurant, which launched at Linthwaite House Hotel in the autumn. He currently lives just outside Cartmel with his wife Nina and new-born baby Freddie.

Simon Rogan said: “Sam has been integral to helping us get to where we are today.

"His energy and passion for the restaurants and our ethos, alongside his knowledge of the hospitality landscape and dedication to ensuring the entire team is the absolute best it can be has been amazing to watch.

"We’re looking forward to see where he takes the group next.”