Barracuda Group, the managed operator of Smith & Jones, has appointed Richard Stringer as operations director. Stringer, who was head of operations south for Barracuda, joined the board on 1 April. He has been with the company for nine years, during which time he has undertaken a range of senior operational roles within the business. Mark McQuater, chief executive, said “I am delighted that we have appointed Richard as our operations director and believe he will make a great contribution enabling the business to achieve an even higher level of operational excellence and performance.”