The Clock House's Fred Clapperton to join Seren Collection's Coast

Fred Clapperton is set to join the Seren Collection's Coast restaurant later this year, having been head chef at the Michelin-starred Clock House for the past four years.

The move also coincides with a planned refurbishment of the restaurant later in the year.

He will take up the same role at the restaurant in Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire from March, replacing Tom Hine, who has been at Coast for the last three years since the departure of Will Holland. Hine is leaving for personal reasons.

Clapperton joined the Michelin-starred Drake's in 2012 as a demi chef de partie and worked his way up to sous chef under Steve Drake in 2013. He was then promoted to head chef and the restaurant was renamed the Clock House in 2016 when Drake left the restaurant following a divorce settlement with wife Serina Drake. Clapperton regained the restaurant's Michelin star one year later.

Managing director of the Seren Collection, Neil Kedward, said: "Fred is the perfect fit for us for many reasons but his cooking style is what really stood out for us. His creative modern approach and lightness of touch fits our aspirations for Coast restaurant. He is a confident and intelligent young chef who clearly knows his own mind and cooking style and we can't wait to welcome him to Pembrokeshire. It's a very exciting new chapter for Coast."

Clapperton said: "I am thrilled to be joining the Seren Collection, and heading up Coast. It is a stunning and inspiring location and I look forward to being a part of its evolution as we drive to create a memorable experience to accompany the location."