People and Business: To the Tower

THE TOWER of London has got a new boss. Alan Coppin is leaving Compass Group, the contract catering business where he is chief executive, to take the same title at Historic Royal Palaces, the charitable body which runs the Tower, Hampton Court Palace, Kensington Palace State Apartments, the Banqueting House, Whitehall and Kew Palace.

Mr Coppin won't have to wear a uniform, I am told. He's used to this kind of thing, having worked in management at Warwick Castle, Beaulieu and Stratfield Saye House. He also used to be chief executive of a slightly less high falutin' establishment - Wembley Plc.

E-mail: j.willcock@independent.co.uk