Just Eat boss to step down over 'urgent family matters'

The head of online takeaway company Just Eat (Frankfurt: A1100K - news) is to step down due to "urgent family matters".

Shares (Berlin: DI6.BE - news) fell 6% after the company announced that David Buttress, who launched the group's UK business 11 years ago and became chief executive in 2013, would be leaving at the end of March.

Mr Buttress, a former Coca-Cola executive, has overseen the rapid expansion of Just Eat, which provides an online ordering platform for takeaway restaurants that pay it for the service.

The burgeoning sector also includes the likes of Deliveroo and Uber.

Just Eat said: "Due to urgent family matters, David Buttress has informed of his intention to step down from his role as chief executive officer."

The company said he would continue in his role full-time until the end of the first quarter, while chairman John Hughes will take on his executive role while a full-time successor is sought.

Mr Buttress will remain on the board as a non-executive director for at least a year.

He said: "It has been a great privilege to work alongside, and then lead, the exceptional team at Just Eat, helping to build the business from the very first restaurant in the UK to the company it is today.

"This has been one of the best jobs in the world, and I wish my successor all the best when they take on the role."

Mr Hughes said: "The board would like to thank David for his outstanding contribution and respects his imminent need to focus on other important matters.

"The company is very strongly positioned for the future."

In December, Just Eat said it had agreed to gobble up rival hungryhouse for £200m, as well as Canada's SkipTheDishes for £66m - part of its international growth.

Just Eat was founded in Denmark in 2001 and now serves more than 17 million takeaway customers via 67,000 restaurant partners in 13 countries.

Last month, Just Eat said it had seen a 36% growth in like-for-like sales for 2016, and that it was in a strong position to deliver results in line with previous guidance - due to be published in March.