Loungers announces new key appointments
One of the UK's leading operators of all-day café, bar and restaurant concepts has announced three key appointments to its leadership team.
Loungers, owner and operator of the Lounge, Cosy Club and Brightside brands, has promoted Justin Carter, former Lounge managing director (MD), to the role of group MD, effective as of today (8 April). Carter, who has been in the business for nine years, now oversees general operations across all three brands.
In a new external appointment, Kate Eastwood has taken on Carter's former position as Lounge MD. She joins from Fuller's where, as operations director, she was responsible for over 100 sites in London and the South.
David Matthews has been appointed as Lounge operations director (North), following two successful years as regional operations manager, driving the expansion of the company's northern frontier.
'Fantastic career development opportunities'
Nick Collins, group CEO, says of the appointments: "I am delighted for both Justin and David and would like to wish a very warm welcome to Kate. We have got to know Kate well over the last few months and are excited about the impact she will have leading the Lounge business.
"As the business continues to grow, it's critical we have the best organisational structure in place to protect and enhance both our culture and the hospitality we provide. The creation of the group MD role provides a great platform for Justin to influence our current three brands in their different stages of evolution.
"It is also really pleasing that in David's promotion to operations director, we have another great internal progression story. David joined the business in 2019 as operations manager and, over the last five years, has had a major influence on our performance and growth. We are fortunate that our rapid growth creates fantastic career development opportunities; our goal is to be the number one choice for anyone looking at a career in the UK hospitality industry."