Paula MacKenzie

Paula MacKenzie joined as CEO in 2022 to lead growth for the global PizzaExpress business. She has over 20 years’ experience in transforming food and beverage companies and is known for her proven ability to put emotion into brands both locally and internationally.

Prior to PizzaExpress, Paula was UK & Ireland MD at KFC from 2017 until 2022. She led KFC through a transformation, accelerating revenue growth and helping to define food innovation, restaurant design and category-led chicken welfare. Paula has also worked in strategic roles for global brands including Diageo, GSK, innocent and Ernst & Young.

Paula has an MA Economics from Cambridge and holds an ACA from ICAEW. Not only is Paula recognised for inspiring innovation, operational excellence and bold creative thinking, but also for her spearheading efforts on diversity, equality & inclusion within the sector.

Additionally, she is currently a Non-Executive Director for the FTSE 100 retailer B&M and an Advisory Board Member for Pennies, the UK’s leading fintech charity.