Social Entertainment Ventures appoints former D&D London COO Toby Harris as chief executive: Social Entertainment Ventures, which is the parent company of Bounce ping-pong bars and mini-golf concept Puttshack, has appointed Toby Harris as its chief executive with immediate effect as the group “enters a new phase of expansion in the UK and US”. Harris was chief operating officer of restaurant group D&D London until December. He joins as a partner to Social Entertainment Ventures founder Adam Breeden and will have full management responsibility for the group. Breeden said he recognised the need to bring in a new chief executive as he shifted his focus towards strategic growth initiatives and concept development. Harris oversaw all D&D London’s venues and previously held various board roles with other private equity-backed businesses. Breeden will continue full time in the business, committing more time to product development as sites open and brands are adapted to new locations in the US and UK. The appointment of Harris will also allow Breeden more time to continue to develop new concepts, strategy and brand guardianship. Social Entertainment Ventures is poised for substantial growth over the next five years driven by the continued roll-out of Bounce and the launch of Puttshack. The company also holds the licence for Flight Club in North America with the brand making its international debut in Chicago this spring. Harris said: “Since opening its first Bounce in 2012, the business has been leading innovation within the sector, which I’ve admired and enjoyed as a customer. As well as significant roll-out plans in the UK and US for existing Social Entertainment Ventures brands, there are also some fantastic new concepts being developed.” Breeden added: “Toby joining the team signals a progressive step-change in the company’s growth plans. Adding top-level management infrastructure will greatly enhance our ability to execute our plans and allow me valuable time to be creative around existing and new products.” The first Puttshack will open at Westfield London in May, comprising four, nine-hole courses inspired by computer, arcade and fairground games. Further sites will launch at No1 Poultry and Intu Lakeside, with the intention to roll out further sites in the next five years.