Loungers makes Justin Carter managing director

Café/bar/restaurant group Loungers has made a series of people moves within the business as it gears up for its next stage of growth.

The company, which is run by chief executive Nick Collins, has appointed Justin Carter to the newly created role of managing director.

Carter joined Loungers in January 2015 and moves up from his existing role as chief operations officer. He will head up the Lounge business, which has 84 sites.

The move negates the need for a chief operations officer role, as there is already an existing Cosy Club MD post.

Meanwhile, Loungers co-founder Jake Bishop has been appointed to the newly created role of group commercial director. He moves from his existing role as Cosy Club MD and will be responsible for overseeing product and menu development, people and training, and operations support.

Bishop is replaced as Cosy Club MD by Amber Wood, who has been promoted from her existing role as Lounge regional operations manager. Wood, who joined Loungers in August 2015, spent nine years at Novus Leisure before joining Loungers, the last two of which she was head of operations.

Wood is joined by Paul Alexander, who has been promoted to the newly created role of Cosy Club operations director. Alexander, who joined Loungers as an operations manager in September 2009, steps up from his previous role as Cosy Club senior operations manager.

Loungers CEO Nick Collins, said: "These changes set us up really well for the future. Justin's appointment as Lounge MD is a natural step for the business, having decided two brand MDs would be more appropriate than a COO. Amber and Paul's promotions at Cosy Club are particularly pleasing, and really demonstrate our commitment to internal progression."

Loungers has recently opened Orto Lounge in Evesham and Molo Lounge in Southend-on-Sea and is due to add Lounge sites in Rustington and Bridgend and a Cosy Club in Worcester by the end of July.

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