Loungers hires Justin Carter as chief operating officer: Cafe bar brand Loungers has hired Justin Carter as chief operating officer. Carter will leave his current role as operations director at Fuller’s in December and join Loungers at the beginning of 2015. Carter previously founded the Elbow Room chain, which he ran for 13 years before selling it in 2008. He joined Fuller’s in February 2011. Carter’s appointment will bolster Loungers’ senior management team as the group continues to build on a sustained period of fast growth. Current chief operating officer Nick Collins will step up to work more closely with Loungers managing director Alex Reilley. He said: “We’re seriously delighted that Justin has agreed to join us. First and foremost we consider him to be the perfect cultural fit for the business and he is clearly an extremely experienced and well-respected operator. He also knows what it’s like to have your own business and in addition to a wealth of operational expertise we also see him bringing some major entrepreneurial thinking to the table. In our view Justin’s appointment is a clear statement of intent and we feel that with Justin on board coupled with Nick’s continued progression we are extremely well set to see the business grow to hundreds of sites.” Loungers opened their 51st site, Kino Lounge, in Kettering at the end of August and will reach 56 sites by the end of the year. A further 20 openings are planned for 2015. 

Giraffe appoints Andrew Jacobs as managing director: The original co-founder of Giraffe, Andrew Jacobs, has been appointed to managing director, succeeding Russel Joffe who announced his resignation along with his wife Juliette last month. Jacobs, together with the Joffes, founded the brand in 1998 and has successfully overseen it from conception to present day. His previous role saw him focus on property and acquisition during which time he has grown the group to 57 sites. As managing director, Andrew will oversee all facets of the business working with chairman Adam Fowle. Fowle, who is also chief executive of Tesco Family Dining, said: “Andrew was the natural choice as successor. He brings 20 years of experience with him and an unrivalled insight into the brand. His appointment ensures that the concept’s individuality and consistency will be retained and I am really looking forward to working with him more closely.” Andrew Jacobs added: “Having lived and breathed this business for 16 years, I feel very excited by this new challenge. I have had the privilege of working with the best in the business and I am completely committed, with the support of my team, to taking the brand forward.”