Polpo appoints new managing director: London-based restaurant company Polpo has appointed Scott Macdonald as managing director. Macdonald, who joins the team later this month, was previously managing director of Bill’s Restaurants. He left the company last July having held the position for four years. In May, he was appointed by Revolution Bars Group as its director of food under contract where he was responsible for reinforcing development of the food offering across the 67-strong Revolution and Revolución de Cuba estate. Prior to Bill’s, Macdonald was food and beverage director at Selfridges and has worked in the restaurant industry for more than 25 years. Polpo co-founder Richard Beatty said: “Scott will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team and we’re pleased to be working with him to drive the company forward – starting with the opening of Polpo in Oxford later this year.” Co-founders Russell Norman and Beatty launched Polpo in Soho’s Beak Street in September 2009, before opening a further seven sites in London, Brighton, Bristol and Exeter, as well as Polpetto (Soho) and Spuntino (Soho and Bristol).

Giggling Squid appoints new finance director: Thai restaurant group Giggling Squid, which is backed by the Business Growth Fund, has appointed Mark Priest as finance director. Previously, Priest spent five years with Brasserie Bar Co where he assisted in the rebranding of Brasserie Blanc and the roll-out of its pub company, The White Brasserie Co. Before that, Priest worked at BDO LLP within its hospitality sector. Priest, who will join the group in the summer, said: “I’m very much looking forward to joining the team at Giggling Squid and assisting it with the next phase of growth.” Giggling Squid now trades from 21 sites, following the recent launch of its Brentwood restaurant. Further sites are in the pipeline, including Windsor, Bath, Cheltenham and Wimbledon. Co-owner Andy Laurillard said: “Pranee and I are delighted Mark is joining us this summer. We feel his experience and skills set is just what we need to help drive Giggling Squid’s continued rapid expansion.” Giggling Squid took a £6.4m investment from the Business Growth Fund in 2015 to accelerate its growth plans.