Gail’s, the artisan bakery chain backed by Luke Johnson, has appointed AJ Steer, formerly of Jamie’s Italian, as its new operations director, M&C Report understands.
Steer joins the 18-strong group, which recently launched a delivery service across central London, after two-and-a-half years as a regional director at Jamie’s Italian. He previously spent over two years as head of operations at Paramount Restaurants.
His appointment comes as the company gears up to launch its latest site on Abbeville Road, Clapham.
Steer follows John Jackson, the former group chief executive of the Jamie Oliver Group, who joined the board of Gail’s last year.
The group aborted discussions about a possible IPO this year in favour of continuing to grow the business privately.
In 2011, Johnson invested £10.5m in Gail’s and the Bread Factory for a 60% stake.
