Social Entertainment Ventures (SEV) has appointed former D&D London COO Toby Harris as its new CEO, with immediate effect, as the group embarks on a new phase of expansion in the UK and US.
Harris has joined as a partner to founder Adam Breeden, and will have full management responsibility for the group in the UK and internationally.
The group said that in light of its growth prospects, Breeden recognised the need to bring in a new CEO as he shifted his focus towards strategic growth initiatives and concept development.
He will continue to work in the business full-time as founder “and will be committing more of his time to product development, as new sites open, and brands are adapted to new locations in the US and UK”.
Last month, Breeden told MCA that he was aiming for 75 sites across his Bounce, Flight Club USA and Puttshack brands within the next five years. The first Puttshack – a next-generation mini-golf, bar and restaurant concept – will open its first site in Westfield London in April.
Until December 2017, Harris was COO at D&D London, overseeing its UK and international venues, including Quaglino’s, Bluebird and German Gymnasium. He has previously held various roles with other successful PE backed businesses.
Harris said: “It is a very exciting time to be joining Adam and the team at Social Entertainment Ventures. 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 as CEO 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 will allow me valuable time to be creative around existing and new products.”
Social Entertainment Ventures, formerly known as Bounce Ping Pong was rebranded in July 2017 given the business’ multi brand international expansion plans. These include the announcement of a new concept and up to seven new venues by the end of 2018, it said.
